ARUA CITY TIGHTENS CRACKDOWN ON SCHOOLS DEFYING HOLIDAY TEACHING BAN
Arua city mayor, Lawrence Alionzi while speaking to media in his office on Monday – Photo by Morish Dramadri
By Morish Dramadri
Arua city
Authorities in Arua City have tightened enforcement of the Ministry of Education and Sports’ ban on holiday teaching, deploying increased surveillance to identify and take action against schools defying the directive.
In August this year, the Ministry of Education and Sports issued a strict ban on unregulated holiday teaching and coaching in schools. The directive is intended to protect children’s right to rest, give them time to engage with family, prevent student burnout, and reduce the financial burden on parents.
The ministry tasked local authorities, including Resident City and District Commissioners and the police, with arresting school administrators who defy the directive and closing non-compliant institutions.
In response, the Arua City education department and security operatives last week raided St. Mary’s Ediofe Girls’ Primary School following a tip-off that the school was conducting holiday lessons. Authorities also issued summons to five other schools over similar allegations.
Hon. Ayaba Joseph, the Arua City Secretary for Social Services, says the city will fully implement the ministry’s directive, warning schools against defiance.
“For us as a city, we are following up on the directives that have been given by the Ministry of Education and Sports that pupils should remain at home until the holiday ends. We shall ensure that the directive given by the ministry is followed to the dot,” Ayaba assured.
Hon. Lawrence Alionzi, the Arua City Mayor, has urged schools to recognize the importance of holidays in the lives of learners, particularly under the new curriculum.
“Schools must take it in good faith. Now, with the new curriculum, it is important that learners take some time off school to be at home and learn the ways of the home. Schools, please honour the guidance of the Ministry of Education,” Alionzi appealed.
Arua Resident City Commissioner, Rtd. Maj. Betty Akello Otekat, has also warned schools against reopening for the third term before the official date, calling for uniformity across all institutions.
She urged parents to use the holiday period to engage their children in meaningful activities at home.
“If it is holidays, every child must be on holiday. During this season, children can do other homework and engage in other meaningful activities. Those schools planning to open before the official date should desist. It should be uniform for all schools to open at the right time,” Akello warned.
According to a recent resolution by the Parliament of Uganda, teachers and school administrators who defy the ministry’s guidelines and the official school calendar may be arrested and face court charges.
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