Minister decries high school dropout rate in Karamoja

Sep 29, 2016

The Moroto district chairman, Andrew Napaje disclosed that many parents marry off their children once they reach puberty stage.

Despite of  Government's efforts to introduce Universal Primary and Secondary education, Karamoja region still face poor enrollment and high dropout in Karamoja region.

The leaders in the district attribute the problem to chronic hunger poverty due to massive crop failure, early marriages, and poor parents' attitude.

The Moroto district chairman, Andrew Napaje disclosed that many parents marry off their children once they reach puberty stage.

He disclosed this to the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Eng. John Byabagambi, during the commissioning of a two dormitory block at Kacheri Primary School, in Lobalangit parish, Kacheri Sub County in Kotido district.

The sh546, 422,188/= modern block funded by the Office of the Prime Minister, is equipped with 80 beds and a solar lighting system. 

"We still have a very big challenge in the region. Parents don't see value in education. When their daughters have reached puberty stage, they marry them off to get bride price. This has led to high dropout rates annually," Napaje added.

He also said many boys continue to be forced out of school by their parents to look after cattle, every time the weather changes.  

Napaje stressed, that out of 34,000 pupils who registered for school in Moroto, only 7,000 attend school.

Karamoja region was once characterized by cattle rustling and conflict.

The LCIII chairman Kacheri Sub County, Jacob Akudo said there is also a problem of poor road network and lack of bridges, which affects many pupils during the rainy season.

"When it rains, all the roads become impassable and the area gets flooded. Because of this children stay home until the rainy season is done. They can even miss for over a month," he added.

Akudo also raised the challenge of understaffing, delayed release of funds, low enrollment, retention and completion of school.

However, Eng. Byabagambi expressed disappointment, calling on leaders to put in more effort and make sure all children attend school.

He urged parents in the region to send their children to school, stressing that education was significant in their future lives.

"This is unacceptable. I am told that some of the structures constructed by government and other stakeholders are not being put to good use as most schools have very poor enrolment," Byabagambi said.

He explained that many of the interventions in the region are aimed at developing the area, which had lagged behind due to prolonged internal insecurity.

Byabagambi said the dormitories are meant to improve on the retention of children in schools for better results, especially the girl child.

He urged local leaders and school authorities to sensitize parents on the importance of education.

So far, the government with funding from the Irish Aid has constructed and rehabilitated over 21 schools in the region among other interventions. The region has over 40 primary schools.

According to a research by UWEZO on the effectiveness of the UPE, released early this year, 61% of the children between the age of 9-16 years have never  gone to school, Nakapiripirit ( 35%), Moroto (27%) and Kaboong (18%)

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