Parents in Namisindwa District are being urged to enhance their involvement in their children's education by providing necessary scholastic materials.
This call to action comes in response to rising dropout rates across the district's schools, attributed largely to a lack of parental support.
Bukokho Secondary School, a government institution in Namisindwa, is struggling with a high dropout rate.
In 2020, the school enrolled 474 students, with 155 in Senior One.
By Senior Four, only 57 students remained, leaving over 90 unaccounted for.
School headmistress Deborah Manyiraho attributes this troubling trend to some parents' undervaluation of education.
"A few families in this onion-growing area have found success in farming and may believe education is less critical," Manyiraho said.
She also highlighted a lack of parental support, noting that only 20% of students receive meals at school.
"Many students come to school without food, and while we want to help, the law prevents us from keeping children out of school for this reason."
Alfred Mutambo, the Chairperson of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), criticizes parental neglect.
"Children are often seen playing games in trading centers early in the morning, which contributes to their school dropout," Mutambo explained.
Sophia Namutosi, the district education officer, offers a different perspective. She suggests that the dropout rates may be inflated due to frequent school transfers by families.
"We've found that many students move from one school to another, which complicates tracking their educational progress," Namutosi said.
Officials report that only 40% of students in Namisindwa District complete their O' Level education. This high dropout rate is seen as a significant barrier to improving educational standards in the area.
As a result, there is a strong emphasis on the need for parents to ensure their children are well-supported and fed to improve retention and academic performance.
The district's educational challenges underscore the urgent need for increased parental involvement to foster a supportive learning environment and reduce dropout rates.
