By Charles Achoba and Simon Naulele

Education and sports minister Jessica Alupo has directed local leaders across the country to arrest parents who keep their school-going age children out of school.

“Those parents who keep children out of school when others are studying and those marrying off their under-age daughters should be brought to book,” she said.

Alupo said the NRM Government has put an emphasis on empowering the girl-child through educating both boys and girls under the universal primary and secondary education programmes, which she urged parents to complement.

“UPE and USE have significantly reduced the gender gap and increased the enrolment of girls in school,” Alupo said.

She was chief guest during the belated International Women’s Day celebrations for Kumi district in Kumi sub-county on Friday.

She urged local leaders to continue reminding parents of their role in feeding children, providing scholastic materials and ensuring that children attend school as the Government also plays its role of paying teachers, providing accommodation and building classrooms.

State minister for Teso affairs Christine Amongin Aporu cautioned residents against people she said are moving to villages, asking for money to register them in the Abarata Kere (prosperity for all) groups.

She said whoever is found doing so will be arrested, adding that the method of registering members of those groups is known.