EDUCATION STAKEHOLDERS URGE PARENTS TO SAFELY GUARD P7 CANDIDATES AHEAD OF LONG PLE HOLIDAY

Pupils of Sacred heart Nursery and Primary school playing in front of a school block during break time. Photo//Erema

 By Erema George

Arua city.

As hundreds of thousands of Primary Seven candidates across West Nile prepare to return home after sitting for their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), education stakeholders have issued an urgent advisory calling on parents to plan strictly for the transition and safety of the learners during the upcoming long holiday.

When Primary Seven candidates complete their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), they enter a long, unstructured holiday lasting several months. Without the strict routine of school, exposing them to several critical vulnerabilities and dangers.

Candidates from St. Kizito Primary school and Bright Vision Nursery and Primary school during their blessing Mass at Ediofe cathedral on Tuesday 27^th October 2026. Photo//Erema.

Emmanuel Adriko, teachers representative to the school management committee of Sacred heart Nursery and primary school cautions parents and the candidates to prepare for the long holidays in orders to avoid being caught up into criminal activities. He spoke to parents during the blessing mass of the candidates at the school on Monday 26^th October, 2026.

“What have you prepared for these children after finishing? Are we ready to welcome them home? Have you prepared them for the future outside, for the challenge outside? Are they going to be victims of criminal acts? What have we prepared for the candidates after finishing?”

“Candidates, what have you prepared for yourself after finishing is a very big question you need to answer personally. Are you going to move around? Let’s be prepared for that after exams.” Adriko warned.

Similarly, the head teacher of St. Kizito Orphans primary school Kennedy Atibuni has advised parents to carefully plan for the children’s stay at home given the challenging environment outside school;

“Carefully plan well for right activities for the children preferably encourage then to enroll for life skills because now what they are moving to is this, you are aware that the secondary curriculum has changed to what is called competence based. So now when these children go home, make sure that you engage them into skill trainings and involve them in helping you at home in meaningful and income generating activities.” Atibuni noted.

Kennedy Atibuni, the head teacher of St. Kizito Orphans primary school addressing the congregation including parents during candidates blessing mass at Ediofe cathedral. Photo//Erema.

Meanwhile the Ayivu division mayor Mallon Avutia says allowing the children to leave uncontrolled lifestyle may expose them to numerous dangers. He suggests engaging children into gainful activities and short courses;

“School has been an enclosing environment where security was adequate and abundant but this time children are going back home and the environment in the community is sometimes very hostile. I will not expect parents to send their children to go and stay with other people whose background may not be known. Have these children engaged in gainful activities because these three months from November, December and January are enough for a child to finish a short course, most importantly things like computer should not miss over this holidays for children.” Avutia urged.

During the long holiday after the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), P7 leavers face a uniquely vulnerable period. They are often left with excessive free time, transitioning from a highly structured school environment to complete freedom before secondary school exposing them to risks such as below;

Behavioral & Social Risks

The long holiday brings a sudden shift from a highly structured school routine to complete freedom, leaving pupils vulnerable to negative peer pressure. Without proper supervision, many adolescents experiment with alcohol, smoking, or drugs, and face an increased risk of engaging in early sexual relations, which can lead to teenage pregnancies or STIs. Additionally, boredom and unmonitored free time often drive children toward juvenile delinquency—such as gambling, petty crime, or community brawls—while unregulated access to smartphones exposes them to pornography, online fraudsters, and cyberbullying.

Psychological & Emotional Dangers

The months-long wait for the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) to release results causes intense anxiety, panic, and stress for many children. When the grades are finally published, failing to meet the high expectations of parents or schools can trigger severe depression, running away from home, or even self-harm. Furthermore, a total detachment from books for over two months causes significant academic regression, making it highly difficult for pupils to adapt to the rigorous curriculum of Senior One.

Safety & Exploitation Risks

Due to their age and vulnerability, many P7 pupils face severe exploitation during this period, often being subjected to harsh child labor in markets, farms, or family businesses. Traveling to major cities to visit relatives can backfire, accidentally exposing naive rural children to human trafficking or domestic labor abuse. Even staying at home poses risks, as spending long days idle and alone increases their vulnerability to neighborhood predators and domestic accidents.

The stakeholders say, during the upcoming long holiday, Primary Leaving Examination candidates, the safety and future of these pupils ultimately rest on the vigilance of their parents and guardians, serving as an urgent call for parents to implement a proper, supportive plan that protects, guides, and constructively engages their children before the next chapter of education begins.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis