BY JOACKIM KULE
Primary Schools in Kasese district on Monday registered a low enrolment of learners as institutions of learning countrywide officially opened their doors for a second term.
In a mini survey conducted by our reporter, it was discovered that some schools in the district did not even register more than ten learners.
At Kyalanga government grant aided primary school in Karusandara sub-county, only 06 out of 154 pupils turned up for classes. The situation was not different at Vision Progressive Nursery Primary School in the same lower local government.
Robert Kule, the head teacher at Kyalanga primary school says the same figure of 06 learners was registered when schools opened for the first term in January.
In Bukonzo County East, schools especially in Mahango sub-county managed to register slightly a good number of pupils.
Enos Kule Kiryango, the Mahango sub-county zonal leader explains that the only school that registered a low enrollment managed to receive 50 pupils. According to Kiryango, Mahango primary school registered 326 out of 800 pupils. At Ighanza primary school, 133 pupils out of 700 reported on the very first day of the term.
Nyamisule primary school received 118 out of 500 pupils, Kakone primary school registered 229 out 520 pupils. Kyamuduma primary school received 68 out of 350 learners, 114 learners were registered at Lhuhiri primary school.
Buhandiro and Buthale primary schools registered 50 out 300 pupils and 50 out of 400 learners respectively. In Bukonzo West Constituency, schools also registered a low enrolment. At Kisabu primary school in Kitholhu sub-county, 150 pupils out of 329 were present at the school by 8am.
At Kitalikibi primary school, the Head teacher, Mr. Eliab Bwambale Kakundese said that the school registered 423 out of 812 pupils.
In Kasese Municipality, Nyamwamba Primary School registered 57 pupils with 06 out of 27 primary seven candidates present.
Irene Muhindo, the school’s Head teacher explained that parents still need a serious sensitization about the need to prioritize their children’s education.
The situation was quite different in some secondary schools visited. At Bright Academy School, Amon Muhindo Kahumulha explained that they had already started classes. He therefore advised both parents and learners to develop a culture of sending their children to schools on the reporting day, adding that many schools start lessons on the very first day.
Lazarus Njike, the School’s Director of Studies says that those who have not yet reported on the first day are complaining of lack of scholastic materials including books and pens.
Robert Baluku, the Director of Studies at Kamaiba primary school said even teachers understand the current economic situation that many parents are going through. Baluku instead advised the parents to come and negotiate with the school administrations on how they are going to pay the little money required of them.
At Trust Care Junior School in Nyamwamba Division, the school Head teacher, Mr. Cyprus Kyana called on school management committees to pardon parents for a week since the economy is seriously hitting everyone.