Parents in Kalungu district are increasingly frustrated with the frequent changing of head teachers in government schools, a situation they believe is significantly contributing to the underperformance of Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools in the region.
According to parents and local residents while appearing on a local radio station on December 15, 2024, the instability in school leadership, which has undermined effective management and educational quality, has led to parents withdrawing their children from schools and negatively affecting educational outcomes in the district.
Apart from the problem of the instability of school leaders, the physical condition of school facilities also adds to the challenges faced by UPE schools since many buildings are in disrepair, which further discourages parents from enrolling their children in the schools.
Godfrey Kasujja, a parent from Kyamuliba sub-county, stated that this issue is prevalent in UPE schools across both Kyamuliba and Lwabenge sub-counties.
Kasujja revealed that he is a parent of a child at Kabale RC Primary School in Kyamulibwa Sub-county, Kalungu District, which has had four head teachers in just three years, negatively impacting both its management and educational standards.
’’The constant changes in school leadership should stop because it has started to make children drop out of schools, hence affecting their future.’’ Kasujja reported.
Mastual Nabakinda, a parent at Kasaana Primary School in the Kyamulibwa sub-county, Kalungu district, expressed that government schools often lack sufficient teachers, and that this has prompted parents to either send their children to private schools or keep them at home instead of attending under-resourced schools.
Nabakinda said that this trend not only impacts enrollment numbers but also threatens the overall educational outcomes for children in Kalungu.
’’The government needs to do something about this problem because the future of school-going children in Kalungu is at stake, especially for those that cannot afford to pay for private school education.’’ Nabakinda emphasized.
She added that the instability in school leadership is affecting teachers, pupils, and continuity in school operations; hence, the government should find a solution to this problem.
The ongoing challenges underscore a broader issue within the educational framework in Kalungu, where both leadership instability and inadequate infrastructure are significant barriers to improving educational quality and retention rates among students.
Failure to act could jeopardize the educational prospects of many children in Kalungu, particularly those who cannot afford private school.
