“PAY 2000/- SCHOOL DUES OR SLASH THE COMPOUND TILL FURTHER NOTICE,” DILOKATA PRIMARY SCHOOL AUTHORITIES TELL OVER 15 PUPILS

Pupils standing under a tree after being denied exams.

By Araba Kalsum
Moyo

Over 15 pupils at Dilokata Primary School have been suspended from classroom activities by the school administration due to failure to pay UGX 2,000 for mid-term examinations.

Instead of being sent home, the pupils were made to remain at school premises and slash the compound as a double punishment. Dilokata primary school is a Muslim-founded, government-aided school located in Dilokata Parish, Ewafa Sub-county, Obongi District.

According to school authorities, several appeals had been made to the parents to meet school requirements, but those calls were ignored. The headteacher, who spoke off record, said most parents are unresponsive when it comes to school fees, leaving the school no choice but to act.

“Our parents really don’t listen, no matter how much we talk to them. Sometimes when we send the children home for school dues, they’re kept home to do other activities. Some even go fishing to raise their own fees—these are such little kids! So, it’s better to deny them exams and keep them at school until their parents come and clear the fees,” said the headteacher.

Meanwhile, Mapkwe Nazareno, the Sub-county Chief of Ewafa Sub-county, blamed the situation on the parents’ negative attitude towards education. “I became concerned when I heard that Dilokata pupils are being suspended from class over just UGX 2,000 for mid-term exams. But the real issue lies with the parents. Many have a negative attitude toward their children’s education here in Ewafa. That’s why the headteacher decided to take this action.

Fact-checking last year in December, I visited Ewafa Primary School, Alibabito Primary School, and Dilokata Primary School and found that most parents didn’t even collect their children’s report cards, which are essential for promotion to the next class,” expressed Mapkwe.

However, Atiku Alexander, the LCIII Chairperson of Ewafa Sub-county, called for more leniency and communication from school authorities. “If children are sent home for school fees, I think the best way is to notify parents through the children—maybe with a small note. A clear duration should be given—say two weeks. You cannot expect the children to pay exam fees today when the exams are also today or within the same week,”
said Atiku.

The Ugandan government has a stated commitment to providing free education, particularly at the primary level, with the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program launched in 1997. However, recent reports indicate that the government has postponed the full rollout of a free compulsory education policy due to financial constraints and competing priorities,