Oyam Schools Heads Held Over Alleged Holiday Teaching

What the report says

Police in Oyam District are holding a headteacher and several school officials after separate operations at Aramita Primary School and Bethel Nursery and Primary School over alleged holiday teaching, according to Dokolo Post. The incidents took place in Ngai Sub-county and involved enforcement actions led by Oyam Deputy Resident District Commissioner Francis Behangana.

At Aramita Primary School, the headteacher, Gilbert Olwa, who is also identified as the director of Bethel Junior School, was arrested on Monday morning together with a school cook, Bonny Olwa. Officials said they found 26 learners attending lessons during the holiday, which they said went against Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines. Some learners reportedly told investigators they had been asked to pay for the holiday programme, though those claims are still under investigation.

A separate raid at Bethel Nursery and Primary School also led to arrests after authorities said they found pupils receiving holiday lessons. The report says school director Martin Olema, his wife Stella Akullu, and several other staff members, including teachers named Ivan Ojok, Emmanuel Okwanga, Jaspher Elem and Sam Ogwang, were taken to police to assist with inquiries. Officials alleged that some learners were being moved through windows as teachers tried to avoid the enforcement team.

Police have opened files on both cases and are investigating possible disobedience of lawful orders. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the school administrators have not been convicted. The case highlights ongoing tension over holiday teaching rules and school compliance with government education directives.