BY ISAAC MUMBERE
The Mothers’ Union Coordinator of South Rwenzori Diocese has expressed concern over the high rate of school drop-outs especially for the girl-child.
Rev. Betty Mweru, while speaking to young girls who had gathered at Nkaiga primary school in Maliba town council, Busongora county North in Kasese district, opines that many young girls are dropping out of school especially because of teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
Rev Mweru cited Maliba, Bwesumbu, Kyarumba and Munkunyu as some of the sub-counties with high rate of girls dropping out of school.
Rev. Betty said the very problem that has forced the young girls get into the said problems is also attributed to their parents whom she referred to be not caring parents who don’t understand the value of education.
She courted young girls within these areas to remain focused and work towards realizing their dreams while emphasizing the critical need for them to not only remain in school but also to aspire for greater heights.
Mr. James Tumusiime, the Executive Director at Reach a Hand Uganda appealed to the government authorities in the affected sub-counties to work towards eliminating defilement and early marriages.
He sounded a warning to parents who marry off their underage children explaining that the practice only holds families in abject poverty.
Meanwhile Mr John Rugarama the Education Officer in charge of Special Needs reiterated the role that civil society plays in shaping society and credited Reach a Hand for their work in promoting education within the district.
ENDS