IGG urges schools to strengthen grievance systems to curb dropouts

What the report says

The Inspectorate of Government has called on schools to strengthen grievance-handling systems so learners can report bullying, abuse and unfair treatment before those problems contribute to dropping out. The appeal was made by Director of Ombudsman Affairs Savio Kakooza, speaking for Inspector General of Government Lady Justice Aisha Naluzze Batala, at the closing ceremony of the National Secondary School Dropout Reduction Campaign at Kitebi Secondary School on Friday.

According to the Uganda-based report from Nile Post, the IGG said schools should provide safe and accessible channels for students to raise concerns about education-related challenges. Kakooza said dropout is usually driven by several overlapping pressures, including poverty, teenage pregnancy, early marriage, family problems, bullying, illness and weak academic performance. He also mentioned crime, drug exposure and negative peer influence as additional risks.

Kakooza urged parents, teachers, communities and government institutions to identify learners who may be at risk and offer counselling and other support early. He also encouraged young people to resist peer pressure and seek help when facing difficulties. The campaign reportedly brought together 1,000 young people from different parts of Uganda over nearly two weeks.

More broadly, the message reflects a common education-policy concern in Uganda and elsewhere: dropout prevention depends not only on school performance but also on student safety, welfare and access to trusted reporting channels.