VANESSA A
Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner Wilberforce Ongom Ahimbisibwe has warned schools against conducting lessons during holiday periods, saying institutions that defy Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines will face legal action.
He said the Ministry has already prohibited schools from organising academic lessons during holidays, but noted with concern that some teachers have continued to disregard the directive. Ongom emphasized that the practice denies learners a chance to rest and instead urged parents to use the holiday period to engage their children in practical home and life skills such as milking cows, weeding gardens, and cooking.
He said the ongoing enforcement operation aims to ensure full compliance, warning that schools caught violating the directive will face strict consequences.
Ongom further explained that school holidays are important for both learners and teachers, as they provide time to rest, recover, and prepare for the next academic term. He added that the break should also allow children to participate in non-academic activities at home.
He also warned that excessive academic pressure during holidays could negatively affect learners’ wellbeing, alleging that some teachers are motivated by financial gain rather than the welfare of pupils. He cautioned that continued violations would lead to more arrests.
According to the 2026 academic calendar issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports, Term One ended on 1 May 2026 and is expected to resume on 25 May 2026.
