By Philip Lokoro and Tito Lowanyanga
A section of teachers at Napumpum and Lokitelaebu primary schools in Kotido district have expressed concern over the high rates of school dropouts.
Out of the 1,654 pupils registered at Napumpum primary school at the beginning of this academic year, only 903 have returned for the current term, leaving more than 700 children unaccounted for.
One of the teachers who preferred anonymity, told our reporters that the number of P.7 registered candidates this year has decreased to 15 from the 17 candidates they had last year.
Patrick Okidi, the deputy head teacher of Lokitelaebu primary school, says that whereas the school enrolment is 1,956, the daily attendance is 1,731 pupils.
According to Okidi, the upper classes have the highest number of school dropouts.
He attributes the high dropout rates to limited classrooms, early marriages and parents’ negative attitude towards education.
Peter Lopus, the councilor representing Napumpum town board, points out that learners are leaving school due to lack of school feeding program.
Meanwhile the Kotido Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Daniel Lochoro warned parents against holding school going children at home to herd cattle, emphasising that those who fail to heed, risk arrest.
Lochoro says that some parents are still keeping their children at home reportedly due to lack of school fees and scholastic materials.
He warns that this is unacceptable, at a time when the government is providing Universal Primary and Secondary Education.
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