Nebbi/Kaliro, Uganda: Education monitoring visits by the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) have exposed contrasting realities in government-aided primary schools in Nebbi and Kaliro districts, with staffing shortages and poor performance troubling West Nile schools, even as infrastructure upgrades and UPE gains emerge in Busoga.
In Nebbi District, ONC Regional Coordinator for West Nile, Amia Irene, inspected Akango Primary School in Atego Sub-county and Akaba Primary School in Alala Sub-county as part of ongoing education service delivery oversight.
Nebbi: Staffing Gaps, Declining Results
At Akanga Primary School, Head Teacher Onegiu Jimmy reported an enrollment of 548 pupils (285 boys and 263 girls) but cited chronic understaffing, shortage of desks and textbooks, and delayed government funding as major setbacks affecting academic performance.
He appealed for additional classrooms and staff quarters, noting that long commuting distances hinder teacher punctuality and effectiveness. The school also requires more latrine stances and electricity to operate government-issued financial management systems.
At Akaba Primary School, which was established in 1936, administrators reported 1,292 pupils enrolled this term, including 34 PLE candidates. However, last year’s results were below expectations, with only seven candidates passing in Second Grade while the majority were placed in Third Grade and Ungraded.
School leaders attributed the decline to inadequate staffing, insufficient infrastructure, limited learning materials and low parental involvement.
Amia Irene said the findings would be compiled for follow-up engagement with relevant authorities to improve learning conditions and raise academic standards.
Kaliro: UPE Infrastructure Boost
In contrast, the ONC Coordinator for Kaliro District, Wabwire Andrew, during his oversight visit on the same day, reported encouraging progress during his monitoring visit to Zibondo Primary School.
The historic institution, named after a leader of the Bulamogi Chiefdom, is benefiting from ongoing classroom renovations under government programmes.
Headteacher Kalulu Edward commended the Government of Uganda under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme, saying it has significantly reduced illiteracy levels in surrounding communities.
He noted that improved infrastructure has enhanced the learning environment and boosted morale among learners and teachers.
The inspections form part of ONC’s grassroots monitoring mandate aimed at ensuring that government investments in education deliver measurable impact.
While Nebbi schools continue to struggle with staffing and performance challenges, Kaliro’s infrastructure improvements highlight the uneven but ongoing progress within Uganda’s primary education sector.
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