education 14 September 2026 Nile Post
Ntungamo Schools Face Crisis as Term Three Opens with Alarming Learner Absence
Government schools in Ntungamo District are grappling with a significant low learner turnout at the start of Term Three, raising serious concerns for candidates preparing for final examinations. District officials are urging parents and teachers to address the absenteeism. Source: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/370744/low-learner-turnout-raises-concern-as-term-three-opens-in-ntungamo
The beginning of the third academic term in Ntungamo District has been met with a troubling lack of student attendance across numerous government schools. Spot checks conducted by district authorities on the first day revealed classrooms with only a handful of students, and in some instances, completely empty facilities, prompting widespread concern.
District Chairman Samuel Muchunguzi Rwakigoba led an inspection that found many schools operating at less than a quarter of their expected capacity. Instead of the usual bustling learning environment, officials encountered sparsely filled classrooms, some of which were found in a state of neglect, even containing goat droppings.
“The turnout is very poor. I blame the parents,” stated Muchunguzi, urging guardians to ensure their children are present for schooling. He also noted a lack of commitment from some teachers, with several not reporting for duty.
Specific schools highlighted the severity of the issue. Mutanoga Primary School had only 116 of its 536 students present, with 33 Primary Seven candidates still absent. At Kamunyiga Primary School, a mere 27 out of 215 expected learners showed up, including just one Primary Seven student.
Teachers cited misinformation among parents and students regarding the reporting date as a contributing factor. The dilapidated state of some school structures and continued neglect were also observed.
The low attendance is particularly worrying as Term Three marks the final stretch before national examinations for Primary Seven candidates. District officials, including Deputy Resident District Commissioner Daniel Twakira, have made direct appeals to parents to send their children back to school and to teachers to resume their duties to prevent further academic disruption.
With 342 government primary and 23 secondary schools in the district, ensuring regular attendance is a significant undertaking that officials believe is crucial for the academic success of all learners, especially those facing crucial examinations.
This situation was reported by Nile Post.