NICHOLAS A
As schools in Uganda opened on Monday for the 2nd term of 2025, some schools in Rukungiri District registered a low turnout, especially those in rural areas.
Atwiine, the head teacher of Rwengiri Primary School, told Boona Radio that out of the 317 pupils they expected to receive, only 204 reported, pulling down their efforts as school authorities to commence their work.
He, however, said that all teachers reported but didn’t get pupils to teach. He urged the government to apply efforts to sensitize parents about the importance of reporting early to school.
He said most parents think that the first week of the term is always not serious, which he said is not true. Therefore, there is a need for serious sensitization of parents to always send their children to school early.
He also expressed concern over most pupils lacking necessary scholastic materials like books, mathematical sets, among others, which he said also need government intervention to sensitize parents on the importance of equipping learners with necessary requirements.
Goretti Tuhairwe, the head teacher of Kihumuro Primary School in Buyanja, said that 124 pupils reported out of the 364 they expected to receive.
She also said that most parents still think the first week is always for general cleaning, not studies, which she spoke against, asserting that in the current Uganda, learners no longer slash compounds themselves.
She, however, expressed hopes of receiving more learners on Tuesday.
Hosea Barigye, the head teacher of Kigiro Primary School, told our reporter that in his school, the turnout was not bad, revealing that out of 604 pupils expected, 430 reported, which put them in a position to commence studies without fail.
However, a good turnout was observed at Kinyasano Boarding Primary School. Over 1,200 pupils had already reported by 1:00 PM out of over 1,500 pupils that the school expected to receive, according to Tumushangye Barnard, the school head teacher.
