Amuria District restores co-funding for primary school sports activities

The Amuria District local government has finally restored co-funding for primary school sports activities in partnership with the district headteachers' association.

On May 27, 2025, the district council unanimously resolved to suspend the collection of 550 shillings per pupil per term, which schools had been using to support athletics, football, and music.

The council declared the charges illegal and questioned the legal status of the headteachers' association, stating it was not duly registered with district authorities.

"I want to thank the office of the CAO Amuria and the district council for reinstating the operations of the headteachers' association, following a resolution by district councilors that had halted pupil contributions for co-curricular activities," said Michael Oloko, Amuria District Sports Officer.

According to Oloko, with 68 government-aided primary schools and an estimated 54,400 pupils, the association was collecting close to 30 million shillings per term, alongside the government's quarterly release of about 12.5 million for similar activities.

He said the suspension of the headteachers' association in the first term of last year meant the district was unable to organize athletics competitions, causing Amuria to miss out on the national kids' athletics games that concluded on June 11. Oloko noted that the suspension directly disrupted planning and preparation for school competitions.

Oloko added that Amuria District needs about 30 million shillings per term to run sub-county, zonal, and district competitions, and around 14 million to facilitate participation at the national level.

Wera Sub-County Councilor Simon Ojur confirmed the council's decision to suspend the association due to legal and accountability concerns.

Amuria District will conduct its district athletics championship starting at the sub-county level from April 5 to 10, climaxing at the district level on April 22.