As the academic year for 2024 kicked off on Monday, February 5th, public schools in the region faced a disappointing start with a low turnout of learners on the first day of reporting.
The government-aided primary and secondary schools witnessed a significant gap between the expected and actual number of students, leading to concerns among school heads and educators.
Reports from Arua Public Secondary School highlight a concerning situation, where only 206 students, constituting 12% of the expected 1,637, showed up on the first day.
This drastic shortfall left teachers disheartened and forced to postpone lessons due to the disorganization caused by the low turnout.
Deputy Head Teacher Alema Dawa Richard, in charge of academics, expressed disappointment over the situation, emphasizing the challenges faced by the teaching staff.
Niva Primary School saw a more balanced turnout, with Director of Studies Aleti John reporting that nearly 300 pupils attended on the first day.
Despite this, the school anticipates enrolling approximately 2,000 pupils this year, suggesting potential challenges in the days to come.
In contrast to the public schools, Good Day Nursery and Primary, a private school in Arua City, reported a better turnout. Deputy Head Teacher Primos Amviyo indicated that a majority of the pupils attended on the first day, signaling a more positive start compared to their public school counterparts.
The low turnout in public schools on the first day of the academic year raises questions about the factors contributing to this trend. Possible reasons could include logistical issues, economic constraints, or other external factors affecting the students' ability to attend.
The disparity between public and private schools in this regard also prompts further exploration into the differences in resources, management, and community support.
As the academic year progresses, it will be crucial to monitor whether the public schools can address the challenges faced on the first day and whether the situation improves in terms of student attendance.
Understanding and addressing the root causes of low turnout will be essential to ensuring that all students have equal opportunities for education and contribute to the overall success of the academic year.
BY: Matata Benzamin, dailywestnile.info
