Low Enrolment Hits Government Schools as Term Three Opens

What the report says

Government schools in Lira City have started the third term with comparatively low learner turnout, according to a survey by Dokolo Post on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. The report said some government schools were below 50 per cent attendance, while private schools were said to have welcomed more than 90 per cent of their learners. Teaching had begun in most institutions, but many pupils had not yet returned.

At Lira Modern Primary School, head teacher Akacha Richard Emmy said only 184 learners reported on the first day, which he described as a weak start relative to the number that finished second term. He linked the shortfall to changing rainfall patterns that he said had affected family incomes and parents’ ability to support school fees and related costs. He nevertheless said the school was ready for the Primary Leaving Examination and had completed the Primary Seven syllabus.

Attendance was much stronger at Lira Central Nursery and Primary School, where deputy head teacher Amuge John Bosco said more than 1,300 of about 1,500 learners had returned, or roughly 90 per cent. At Lira Secondary School, Director of Studies Engola Milton said more than 350 of 560 learners had reported, with most returnees being candidate classes. He cited the timing of term opening, reliance on monthly salaries, and poor farm production linked to drought as pressures on household spending.

The report matters because the third term is the final stretch for learners preparing for national examinations, including PLE, UCE and UACE. Schools said candidate classes were largely prepared, but attendance gaps could affect learning time in a critical exam period.