Mixed turnout as Arua schools reopen for second term

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As schools across the country reopened Monday, May 26, 2025, for the second term, Arua city witnessed mixed experiences, with some primary schools reporting high pupil attendance while others struggled with low numbers.

The variation highlights the different dynamics affecting schools and underscores the need for continued support and encouragement from parents, teachers, and the wider community to ensure pupils’ academic success.

Gift Amagule, the headteacher of government-aided Arua Public Primary School, said the turnout at his school was fairly good.



According to Charles Adrapi, headteacher of the privately owned Christ the King Kindergarten and Primary School in Arua city, the school recorded an impressive first-day turnout, with over 600 of the 693 enrolled pupils reporting.

In contrast, Beatrice Asimasia, headteacher of Arua Hill Primary School, a government-aided institution, said the school registered a low turnout, with only about 1,000 pupils out of the 2,247 enrolled reporting for class.

She urged parents to encourage their children to attend school regularly in order to keep up with their studies.



Meanwhile, Joel Dralumani, deputy headteacher of St Kizito Orphans Primary School in Ediofe, Arua city, expressed satisfaction with the pupil turnout, particularly among the Primary Seven candidates, all of whom reported for the second term.

Being a private school, Dralumani urged parents facing financial difficulties to approach the school administration, as their situations might be considered.



As schools re-open, those with pre-primary operations will have to take into account new, stringent standards set by the government aimed at enhancing the quality of early childhood education across the country.

Among the major changes is the revision of the number of children per class being capped at 25 and the school day for nursery pupils ending by 12:30pm.