Hoima schools register poor turn-up of learners

By Flavia Ajok

Hoima: Several schools in Hoima City have registered a poor turnout of learners as the country opened Monday for this year’s first academic term.

The Hoima City principal education officer, Johnson Kusiima Baigana, told this publication on Tuesday that there has been a poor turnout of learners in most schools.

Baigana noted that when he visited schools like Mpaija, Buswekera, and Busiisi primary schools in Hoima West Division, the turnout was between 25% and 35%, which he attributes to the parents’ poor attitude, saying that many think that there are always no lessons in the first week.

He therefore challenged parents to do the needful to get the children to school on time.

The education specialist noted that children have had enough holidays and challenged parents to take their children back to school since teachers have reported back to work at almost 100%.

In schools that our reporter visited, such as St Jude Nursery and primary schools, the turn-up was at 70%; at Progressive Nursery and Primary School in Kinubi Cell, the turn-up was at 60%; and at Precious Elite Nursery and Primary School in Mparo Cell, the turn-up was at 50%.

Harriet Karungi, the school head teacher at Hoima Public Primary School, says the turnout was relatively good, adding that they registered 501 pupils out of 1612, which means the large number are still at home. She challenged parents to send the children to school.

At Central Secondary School, the school head teacher, Isaiah Atugonza, says they were happy to register over 332 candidates.

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