Gulu District, Uganda: Primary schools across the district have reported a low turnout of pupils as the first term reopened on Monday, 5th February 2024. The Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Afande Cosmas James Okidi, visited schools on 5th February 2024 and attributed the low enrollment to the late preparation of parents for the school reopening.
“I met and observed many parents on Monday 5th, flooding the offices of the head teachers to register their children during class hours, instead of earlier registration,” observed DRDC Cosmas. He emphasized that this lateness must stop as it adversely affects the learning of school-going children.
In Lapuda Primary School, only 17 children reported out of the total enrollment of 438. Cwero P/S had only 55 out of 1146 enrolled, Paicho P/S recorded only 21 out of 902 enrolled, and Angaya P/S had only 46 out of 698 pupils reporting, among others. DRDC expressed surprise, questioning the whereabouts of the missing children.
On the other hand, teacher attendance was promising. Angaya P/S had 9 out of 11 teachers present, Paicho P/S had 13 out of 24, Cwero P/S had 10 out of 23, and Lapuda P/S had 2 out of 9 teachers present on the first day of Monday, 5th February 2024.
The DRDC congratulated teachers for exhibiting true dedication and love for the country, Uganda.
Similarly, Cosmas directed local leaders of Gulu District, especially LC1, LCII, and respective sub-counties, to mobilize and address parents keeping school-going children at home. “The child has a right to education, and this is purely the responsibility of parents/guardians,” Cosmas added.
Parents were advised to avoid sending children to school without scholastic materials such as books, pens, and school uniforms, among other necessities. School administrators were instructed to refrain from unnecessary school fee increments, as it goes against the Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy initiated by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, providing free education to Ugandans.
