East Acholi leaders propose ban on students attending market days

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Local leaders in East Acholi are considering alternative measures to prevent schoolchildren from attending monthly market days, as part of efforts to keep them in school and improve academic performance.

The proposal follows growing concern that many learners fail to return for afternoon lessons on market days, a trend leaders say is contributing to poor performance across several schools in the sub-region.

The concerns were raised during a meeting in Kitgum Municipality that brought together leaders and stakeholders to address teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence in Lamwo, Agago, Kitgum, and Pader districts.

Tom Richard Odyeny, headteacher of Paluda Senior Secondary School in Lamwo district, said market days are disrupting learning, with students absconding from school to attend markets and night discos.

“These students' after-market activities include going to dances and sometimes staying away from home because they want to avoid returning to school, where there are restrictions. This makes it hard to control learners. Leaders should step up to block students from attending market days and night discos,” Odyeny said.

He warned that the continued trend could result in fewer educated girls in the future, stressing the urgency of ensuring that girls complete their education cycle.

“Poverty is very rampant in this community. Leaders should lobby for sponsorships so that both boys and girls can stay in school and learn. Many parents are too poor to pay school fees, and the effects of war have left some homes child-led,” he emphasised.

At Adilang Kulaka Primary School in Agago district, senior woman teacher Alice Joy Auma echoed similar concerns, noting that attendance drops sharply during market and auction days.

“This has become a habit among learners, and parents do not pay attention to the problem. This is what is leading to poor performance in schools, yet teachers are later blamed for failure in examinations,” she said.

Health officials also raised alarm over the link between absenteeism and rising teenage pregnancy rates. Francis Okumu, in charge of Paluda Health Centre III, said teenage pregnancy in Paluda subcounty stands at 18 percent, according to health centre reports.

“Health workers are trying hard to end teenage pregnancy and early marriage, but the practice is still very common in the community. Leaders need to step up by introducing bylaws that restrict children from attending market days and discos, especially during last funeral rites,” Okumu said.

He added that routine health education programmes are targeting parents and young girls to help reduce school dropouts and early pregnancies.

Kitgum district education officer Anthony Lawot called for a collective response, urging stakeholders to work together to ensure that children, especially girls, remain in school and complete their education.

Similarly, Nabinson Nok Kidega of Agago district said parental neglect and changing cultural practices are worsening the situation, with many children spending more time in markets and night discos.

Kidega said security agencies will enforce measures to prevent children from attending markets during school hours, warning that parents who send children to sell goods risk legal action.

Leaders agreed that addressing the challenge will require coordinated efforts involving schools, parents, local authorities, and security agencies to safeguard the future of children in the Acholi sub-region.