By Emmanuel Okiria
The Police in Katine Central Police Station, Soroti District have detained seven parents for allegedly preventing their children from attending school under the government’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs.
The arrests were confirmed by Soroti Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Paul Eseru.
The crackdown is part of an operation dubbed “Push Learners to Class,” which was launched today by the Office of the RDC Soroti District.
The initiative aims to ensure that students report to school on the first day of the term and receive the education they are entitled to under Uganda’s free education programs.
According to RDC Paul Eseru, the operation was carried out by three teams consisting of officials from the Education Department and the RDC’s Office.
The teams visited different schools in Soroti’s three counties to monitor student attendance and take action against parents keeping their children at home.
Team One, led by Ag. Inspector of Schools, Assistant RDC Emmanuel Okia, and RDC Paul Eseru, monitored schools in Gweri County.
Team Two, under the leadership of Assistant RDC Mutai Victor, focused on schools in Soroti County.
Team Three, led by Deputy RDC Ronald Bakak, covered Dakabela County.
During the operation, the teams discovered several cases where parents had deliberately prevented their children from going to school.
Among those arrested was a teacher, raising concerns about the role of some teachers in undermining government education efforts.
The move comes after Soroti District registered only 40 pupils in Division One and over 852 in Division U in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
Eseru believes that low school attendance on opening days contributes to poor academic performance, as some students miss out on crucial lessons at the beginning of the term.
Mr. Oluka Wilfred Akeriau, the headteacher of Soroti Secondary School, urged parents to send their children back to school immediately, stating that learning begins on the very first day of reopening, regardless of whether school fees have been fully paid.
“We have our own policy, and that policy states that studies resume on the opening date. If you are still keeping your child at home, know that lessons have already begun, and teachers are in class, ready to teach,” Mr. Akeriau stated.
He assured parents that while Soroti SS allows students to report without immediate fee payments, those who fail to clear outstanding balances will not be promoted or registered for the next academic year.
Mr. Akeriau also reported a positive response in Senior One (S1) admissions, with the school having registered over 850 students out of their target of 1,000.
However, he noted that due to space limitations, the school would not admit more than 1,000 students.
Meanwhile, Abulo Lucy, the headmistress of Pamba Primary School, expressed disappointment over the extremely low student turnout at her school.
She revealed that only 42 pupils were present on the first day of the term.
She appealed to parents to ensure their children report to school immediately to avoid disrupting the learning schedule.
“Teachers cannot start lessons today and then repeat the same thing tomorrow for those who were absent. We are ready to teach, but we need all pupils in class,” Ms. Abulo emphasized.
Eseru has vowed to take strict action against parents and guardians who violate the right to education by keeping children at home without valid reasons.
The RDC’s office has made it clear that any efforts to undermine UPE and USE programs will not be tolerated.
Eseru has reminded Parents in Soroti that free education is a right and that failure to send children to school could lead to legal consequences.
About Author
Congratulations upon the directive of arresting conmen.