Mubende Leaders Warn Parents: Tackle School Dropout Crisis

Geoffrey Mawa, the deputy Chief Administrative Officer, expressed concern over the alarming dropout rate in Buwekula South, Mubende, urging parents to take action to combat the issue.

Leaders in Mubende District have raised concerns about the high dropout rate in the district and have vowed to intervene.

Geoffrey Mawa, the deputy Chief Administrative Officer, expressed concern over the alarming dropout rate in Buwekula South, Mubende, urging parents to take action to combat the issue.

While addressing parents of Kitaama Village in Kiteenga Sub-county, Buwekula South, Mawa expressed disappointment with parents in the area for failing to keep their children in school.

"I have a report that many children in this area are dropping out of school at a high rate, and I want to urge parents to ensure that their children stay in school," he said.

He advised parents not to sell all their harvests and spend the money on other activities.

"We all know we are in the harvest period, but most parents spend all their money and forget to save for school fees. I want to tell you to learn how to save money to provide basic needs, especially for children attending school," Mawa said.

Michael Ntambi, the district chairperson, also criticized parents in the community who keep children at home, denying them an education.

"It hurts me to see children staying in the villages when we have schools in this area. I want you to bring children to school, and I will ensure there are classrooms," Michael said.

He advised parents to avoid enrolling children in expensive private schools, which often leads to financial strain.

"I have seen many parents taking their children to expensive private schools but failing to sustain them, leaving the children unable to complete primary school," he said.

"Personally, I am a product of government schools, yet I am the district chairperson. David Kabanda, the MP for Kassambya Constituency, is also a product of government schools, yet he is performing well in Parliament.

"You find a school registering 60 children in Primary One, but by Primary Seven, the number has dropped to less than 20," Ntambi lamented.

Michael Tabaalo, the Kiteenga Sub-county chairperson, requested district officials to improve community services, especially roads, which he identified as a major challenge.

"We have poor roads in the community, and when it rains, children cannot access schools. This is a major problem that needs to be addressed," Ntambi said.

Sarah Musiime Lukomera, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner in charge of Buwekula South, asked the CAO to address the rampant extortion of money from parents in government schools.

"The reason we have a high dropout rate in the area is that teachers in government schools collect money from parents, forcing them to drop out of schools," Ms Musiime said.

"We have so far started investigating some schools which collect money from parents, and mind you, very soon we shall bring them to book."