Otuke, Uganda: Education stakeholders in Otuke District have warned that the future of learning in the area is at risk unless teachers, parents, and local leaders urgently act together to rebuild the sector after years of neglect, poor discipline, and low community involvement.
The call followed a two-week Education Baraza that concluded on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Olilim Church of Uganda in Olilim Town Council, after a series of sub-county meetings held across all 14 sub-counties.
The Baraza, themed “Rebuilding Learning Together,” exposed deep cracks in the district’s education system, including teacher absenteeism, parental apathy, defilement cases, early pregnancies, and loss of classroom time following the recent nationwide teachers’ industrial action.
“Education in Otuke cannot be left to chance,” said Francis Otyama, LCIII Chairperson of Olilim Sub-county. “Many parents have turned away from their children’s education. Yet, no community can rise when its people neglect the classroom. Transformation begins right there in school.”
The Baraza took a strong stance on the growing number of child abuse and defilement cases that stakeholders said are undermining education across Otuke.
District Community Liaison Officer George Alado cautioned local leaders against mediating such cases privately, insisting they should be reported to police.
“You are not judges,” Alado warned. “When a child is defiled, it’s not a family matter—it’s a crime. Protecting offenders destroys the very future we claim to build.”
Teachers Push Back: “Parents Have Abandoned Their Role”
While some sessions faulted teachers for poor performance, many educators argued that parental negligence remains the biggest obstacle to learning.
“Parents send children to school without breakfast, without books, and never follow up on their progress,” said Grace Akello, a teacher at Okwang Primary School. “When a child fails, they blame teachers, yet education begins at home.”
Another teacher, Peter Okello of Ogwete Sub-county, added that parents often prioritize social activities over education. “We call parent–teacher meetings and they don’t show up. Some are busy in markets or bars. How can teachers alone raise a child?” he asked.
Education officials agreed that restoring quality education requires shared responsibility between schools and homes.
Parents Fire Back: “Some Teachers Are a Disgrace”
Parents at the Baraza countered the teachers’ concerns, accusing a section of educators of alcoholism and absenteeism.
“Some teachers report to class after taking alcohol,” said Christine Auma, a mother of four from Olilim Parish. “How can children learn when the teacher is not sober?”
Robert Opio, another parent from Ogwete, added: “We respect teachers, but some have turned schools into bars. Lessons start late, or teachers sleep in class. The government must tighten supervision.”
District Leaders Call for Rebuilding Trust
Francis Abola, the Otuke District LCV Chairperson, called for unity between teachers and parents to revive the district’s education standards.
“We cannot keep lamenting about poverty while ignoring education,” Abola said. “The strike is over. Now is the time to rebuild. Teachers must reclaim every lost minute, and parents must do their part. Education is not a privilege—it’s the pride of every progressive family.”
Mr. Quinto Odongo, the District Education Officer (DEO), described the Baraza as a wake-up call and announced the development of a District Education Recovery Plan focused on accountability, monitoring, and parental engagement.
“This Baraza has been a mirror for all of us,” Odongo said. “We are now developing a recovery plan to tighten teacher supervision, strengthen inspection, and increase dialogue with parents.”
He revealed that the district will soon launch a Community Education Watch Initiative to track school performance and keep stakeholders active throughout the academic year. “Our goal is simple,” he added. “Every child in Otuke must be in school, learning, and safe.”
Odongo also pledged to work with NGOs and development partners to enhance school feeding and counseling programs to keep learners in class.
The Education Baraza concluded with several key resolutions among which included tightening supervision of teacher attendance and classroom delivery, Enforce disciplinary action against intoxicated or absent teachers, Promote parental involvement through termly community dialogues, Strengthen reporting and prosecution of defilement and child abuse cases and Launch community-led initiatives to monitor school performance.
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