Uganda’s High Court has ordered a chain of private schools to be closed following over concerns about poor sanitation and its curriculum, the BBC reports.
The Bridge International Academies group says it offers affordable, high-quality education to its 12,000 pupils, who often come from poor families.
The country’s Education Ministry says the 63 schools must now close immediately but the group which is supported by foundations such as those set up by Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates says it will appeal.
A judge said the Bridge International school authorities had been given several opportunities to meet the national standards but had failed to do so.
The group which is US-owned first opened its schools in Uganda in 2015 but has seen a number of accusations including poor sanitation, inadequate infrastructure and not following the national curriculum leveled against them.
The government ordered their closure in July also alleging that the schools were recruiting unqualified teachers, the organization went to court to challenge the decision insisting it follows Uganda’s public education system, with seven years of primary school and children starting from the age of six.
People who support Bridge International argue that government schools are worse off with nearly 70% of children dropping out before they finish primary education.
The Bridge International Academies group also operates in India and Nigeria, and in January entered into a partnership with the Liberian government to run its primary schools.
