Poverty Fuels School Dropouts and Child Marriages in Busaana, Kayunga

Leaders in Busaana Sub-county, Kayunga District, are sounding the alarm over a concerning rise in school dropouts and child marriages. They attribute this trend predominantly to poverty, which is forcing parents to make devastating choices that jeopardise their children’s futures.

Zuena Kaguna, the headteacher of Busaana Church of Uganda Primary School, highlighted the dire situation. She stated that economic hardship is compelling some parents to marry off their daughters in exchange for dowry, while others are forcing their children into labour instead of school.

“This is destroying the future of our children,” Kaguna remarked, emphasizing the detrimental impact on their educational rights and overall development. The school itself faces significant challenges, struggling with a severe teacher shortage. With over 1,500 pupils enrolled, the school only has 21 teachers, seven of whom are paid by the institution, leading to a high teacher-to-pupil ratio.

During the commissioning of school patriots, John Magezi urged a collaborative effort between parents and school administrators to protect children’s futures. He stressed the importance of integrating patriotism education with co-curricular activities to foster discipline, identify and nurture talents, and prepare children for responsible citizenship.

Magezi also issued a stern warning to parents against prioritising immediate financial gains over their children’s long-term education through early marriage or child labour. He reminded them that every child has a fundamental right to education and that legal action will be taken against those who violate these rights.

Authorities are encouraging families to engage with government poverty alleviation programs as a means to improve household incomes, rather than resorting to pulling children out of school. They underscored that education remains a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty.

Source: Nile Post