By Augustine Mumbere,
Kasese Municipality registered a low turnout of learners as schools officially reopened yesterday for the second academic term.
According to Mr. Emmy Mwesige Kayiri, the Kasese Municipal Education Officer, and Mr. Tien Tsongo, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner-Kasese district, both private and government-aided primary and secondary schools experienced significantly lower attendance compared to the first term.
The officials attributed the poor turnout to prevailing economic hardships and a growing laxity among parents and guardians regarding the education of their children.
They urged parents to ensure their children report to school promptly, warning that failure to do so may lead to friction with security and education authorities, especially since teachers have already begun covering the syllabus.
At Kasese Primary School, the head teacher, Ms. Allen Mary Ngabafunzaki, revealed that only 202 out of 702 pupils had reported by the end of the first day. Ms. Ngabafunzaki and Dan speaking…
Similarly, at Kamaiba Primary School, the head teacher Mr. Dan Benon Masereka reported that only 372 out of 1,004 pupils had returned to class by press time.
At Trusted Care Junior School, Deputy Head Teacher, Mr. Muhindo Mweru, and Ms. Moreen Masika, head teacher at Kasese Town School, noted an average attendance rate of 50%. Meanwhile, Mr. Robert Bariyo, head teacher of Standard High School in Nyamwamba Division, and Mr. William Muhindo, head teacher of Equator Primary School in Nyakiyumbu Sub-county, appealed for greater inclusion of learners with disabilities in schools. END