Public schools in Agago district have been asked to acquire land titles in order to guard against encroachment and ownership disputes that continue to disrupt education services.
The Agago District Chairperson, Wilson Otto, made the call during a school monitoring visit to Kotomor Seed Secondary School under his newly launched Stay-in-School campaign.
Otto says the move is intended to safeguard school land and prevent future conflicts between schools and surrounding communities.
The intervention follows growing concerns over land disputes and conflicts involving school foundation bodies, which local leaders say are affecting the management and development of several schools.
Otto says securing school land was critical for long-term educational development and would help prevent future disputes that could threaten access to education for thousands of learners across the district.
Schools currently affected by foundation body disputes include Atece Primary School in Omot Sub-county, Lukwangole Primary School in Patongo Sub-county, and Olyelo Widyel Primary School in Kotomor Sub-county.
Agago District Education Officer Calvin Nixon Okot says land ownership documents have become increasingly important because the government requires proof of ownership before investing in school infrastructure.
He adds that government schools should remain neutral institutions serving all learners regardless of religious affiliation, warning that disputes over foundation bodies can undermine school development.
During the monitoring exercise, district leaders also cited teacher absenteeism, staffing shortages, school land encroachment, cattle raids, and inadequate parental support as major challenges affecting education.
By URN
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