Busoga Region is taking steps to address the issue of children leaving school prematurely. Many students like Joan Nabirye face challenges that force them to drop out of primary education. These challenges include financial difficulties and the lack of conducive learning environments.
Joan Nabirye, a 16-year-old student, had to leave her government-aided school in Iganga District because her family couldn’t afford the required fee of Shs30,000 for the Universal Primary Education program. Her father, burdened by debts, saw no reason to keep her in school. This left Joan with a difficult choice between early marriage and working as a domestic laborer, where she earned only Shs50,000 per month.
Unfortunately, Joan’s story is not unique in Busoga Sub-region. A staggering 91 percent of children aged 11 to 19 in Jinja District reportedly do not have access to secondary education. Research by the Science Publishing Group in 2019 highlighted these alarming statistics and emphasized the need for urgent attention.
The dropout rate in the region can be attributed to various factors, including low economic status, leading to unemployment, low-paying jobs, alcoholism, and poor health among parents. Children from low-income households in Busoga Sub-region often face a bleak future.
Constance Kantono, a resident of Buyala in Jinja District, was married off at a very young age, just three months before her first period. She dreamt of a future that could lift her family out of poverty but ended up mothering other children and experiencing health complications due to early pregnancies.
Efforts are being made by state actors to address the dropout crisis. President Museveni has expressed his commitment to making education more accessible. He aims to provide free education in government schools at all levels, emphasizing that education is a social and economic transformation tool.
Adrian Ndemere, the national chairperson of Uganda Association of Private Vocational Institutions (UGAPRIVI), believes that vocational training can play a crucial role in reducing school dropout rates. Vocational institutions provide employable skills to children, even as early as Primary Seven. This modular training approach allows students to progress through different levels, ultimately earning diplomas.
The government is also working on initiatives to support skill development among young people, with plans to benefit around 70,000 youth in Busoga Sub-region through the Enabel initiative funded by the Belgium government.
The hope is that these efforts will prevent young girls like Joan Nabirye from facing the hardships of school dropout in Busoga Sub-region.
