The start of Term One 2026 has been marred by low pupil attendance in schools across Uganda, despite the delayed reopening aimed at easing preparations.
Reports from multiple districts indicate that only a small fraction of enrolled learners turned up on the first day of term, continuing a pattern that headteachers say has become increasingly common in recent years.
While teachers largely reported for duty and schools opened as scheduled, the low turnout of pupils affected the smooth start of the school calendar.
In Gulu City, education authorities could not conduct school inspections on opening day because monitoring funds had not been released.
City Inspector of Schools Proscovia Aber told Favour fm that when money is not yet ready, it becomes a challenge.
She notes that schools are expected to prepare at least two weeks in advance and confirmed that teachers had reported. However, delayed pupil turnout remains a persistent challenge, particularly in public schools.
Aber appeals to parents to send children early, warning that late reporting disrupts curriculum delivery.
At Holy Rosary Primary School in the Laro-Pece Division, pupil turnout was visibly very low early in the morning.
At Kitgum Prison Primary School, only 117 of 700 pupils had reported by mid-morning. Headteacher Patrick Kilama Otika says, most parents prefer to send children to secondary or distant schools first, before primary school pupils. Enrollment normally improves after one or two weeks.
Other districts continued to see sparse attendance. At Oyam Town Council’s Awelobuturyo P.7 School, only 78 of over 1,000 learners were present by 10 am.
By URN
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