Leaders in Napak and Moroto districts have issued strong warnings to parents who continue to keep their children at home. Despite schools opening three weeks ago, many children remain in kraals, mining sites, or begging on Moroto Town's streets.
For decades, the World Food Program’s school feeding program has attracted children to school, with many parents sending their children to secure meals.
However, school completion rates remain low, as girls are withdrawn from school for marriage, and boys return to the kraals to look after livestock.
In 2021, Save the Children introduced the Strengthening Education System Bridging Learning Loss (SESBIL) project, offering scholastic materials and a 50,000 Shillings incentive per term for consistent school attendance. This initiative brought many rural children to school, but some still collected the money and left.
Despite these efforts, some children have never set foot in a school, spending their lives in the kraals or on mining sites.
Peterken Lochap, the Member of Parliament for Bokora East County in Napak District, emphasized that leaders have done their part in encouraging parents to send children to school. Lochap warned that any parent who refuses to comply will face legal action when enforcement teams begin operations against those keeping children at home.
He also stated that they had exhausted all attempts to convince parents of the value of education, and forceful measures are now the only option.
John Paul Kodet, LCV Chairperson of Napak District, confirmed that the operations had already started in the town councils of Matany and Kangole, resulting in increased school enrollment in those areas. The operations will now extend to other parts of the district, including kraals where many children are hiding while tending to livestock.
Kodet pointed out that despite years of sensitization, parents had shown little interest, and now authorities would act decisively to ensure all children attend school.
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John Robert Adupa, LCIII Chairperson of Lotisan Sub-County in Moroto District, acknowledged that many children remain in the kraals, caring for livestock. He noted that while the sub-county only has one primary school, the recent establishment of two additional community schools has helped draw over 800 pupils.
Adupa is optimistic that the number of children remaining in the kraals will continue to decline, as more schools open and become accessible.
Adupa also pointed out that poverty is a significant barrier for many parents, who fear the financial burden of sending their children to school.
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Moses Lokwii, the Education Officer for Moroto District, stated that the district is working with partners to conduct "go-back-to-school" campaigns. Lokwii acknowledged the high dropout rate before students complete primary education and emphasized the district's focus on not only increasing enrollment but also improving retention and graduation rates.
Lokwii revealed that the district is formulating an education ordinance that would compel parents to enrol their children in school, with legal consequences for those who refuse. He also mentioned that some children are kept in mining areas or sent to burn charcoal to support the family financially.
He believes the introduction of by-laws will help address parents who continue to exploit their children.
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James Bedijo Okumu, the Napak Chief Administrative Officer, discussed the success of the World Food Program's school feeding initiative, which has helped attract children to school by providing breakfast and lunch. Okumu also mentioned plans to establish school gardens to further support the feeding program.
He highlighted the integrated approach through the community development department, working with the Ministry of Gender and UNICEF to train parents on the importance of education.
Okumu warned that if the situation worsens, the authorities would have no choice but to arrest and prosecute parents who deny their children an education.
Okumu urged parents to utilize the Parish Development Model to generate income to support their children's schooling and expressed hope that community engagement would shift parents' attitudes toward education.
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Milton Odongo, the Napak Resident District Commissioner, reported that leaders have been reaching out to kraal leaders, urging them to allow children to attend school. He observed that there has been a gradual acceptance of education, and more children are now attending school.
He acknowledged that parents have requested more time to take their children to school, but the district education committee has resolved to move forward with operations against those still withholding children from education.
