Holiday Teaching Ban Ignored: Parent Assaulted, Dozens Arrested in Lango Region

School holidays in Uganda’s Lango region have become a flashpoint for conflict, with numerous schools reportedly defying the Ministry of Education’s ban on holiday teaching. In Kwania District, a school director was arrested after allegedly assaulting a parent who came to collect his children. The parent claimed he was beaten in front of his children for questioning why they were being held for holiday studies, with the school allegedly demanding Shs50,000 per child for their release.

Police confirmed the arrest and stated that investigations are ongoing. The Ministry of Education has repeatedly warned that holidays are intended for rest and family bonding, not for continuing the academic term. Despite these warnings, some schools have been accused of operating clandestine classes, even resorting to holding lessons in kitchens or under trees to avoid detection.

In Oyam District, police arrested a head teacher, other officials, and a school cook for violating the holiday teaching ban. Authorities found 26 learners attending lessons during a raid. The Deputy Resident District Commissioner led the operation, emphasizing the need to protect learners and ensure compliance with education ministry guidelines.

District Education Officers have been urged to report any schools found conducting unauthorized holiday lessons and to encourage parents to report such cases. The widespread nature of this practice, with allegations of schools demanding fees for children’s release, points to a significant challenge in enforcing the holiday teaching ban across the country.