MICHAEL
Rukungiri District officials have expressed worry over the increasing cases of school drop-outs.
Wasswa Masokoyi, the district chief administrative officer, attributes the problem to early marriages.
He said the issue is wide and needs everyone’s participation to have it stopped.
The school dropout rate in the district is at 55 percent compared to 40 percent last year.
Nyakishenyi, Bwambara, and Nyarushanje are the most affected sub-counties.
MsMusimenta Caledonia, the district secretary for social services, said the cases are more reflected among the girl-child.
Musimenta added that there are other factors forcing children out of school such as parental negligence, child labour, nightclubs, and negative attitude by parents and children toward education.
Jackson Turyahumura, the district education officer, attributed the dropout rates to unfriendly study environments characterized by teachers’ absenteeism and high level of poverty.
Ms Hilda Mbabazi from Join for joy, an NGO, advised school administrators to embrace playful learning as a strategy to attract children.
