Luwero District Chairman Erastus Kibirango found Kikube Church of Uganda Primary School almost empty during an impromptu visit to assess school infrastructure and attendance.
It was reported that many learners were selling agricultural produce in markets instead of attending classes. The school had less than 80 learners in attendance, out of the 252 enrolled.
In primary six, Kibirango found only two out of 38 pupils present whereas in Primary three only four out of 36 pupils listed in the report had turned up. The class with the highest turn up was primary four with 13 out of 38 pupils present.
Jemimah Nalugya Katongole, the headteacher of Kikube Church of Uganda Primary School blamed the absenteeism on the Market Day. Nalugya explained that several learners were absent because they utilised the Market Day vend agricultural produce.
Eddie Zziwa, the District Councillor for Luwero sub-county asked the headteacher to sensitize residents on the value of education. Zziwa also asked the headteacher to make the school competitive to attract learners insisting the nearby Catholic primary school had bigger enrollment and less absenteeism.
Daniel Kyaterekera, the District Secretary for Education said that the district already drafted an ordinance to address absenteeism. It is waiting for the Auditor’s approval.
Kibirango said that the district would repair a classroom block for three classes to improve the learning environment and tasked the headteacher to work with local leaders to address absenteeism. He also questioned why the new classroom block which was constructed recently was equally empty, saying this created more questions about the administration.
It should be noted that pupils are expected to write exams and break off for holidays in the next month.
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