By Sylvia
District Education Officers (DEOs) and other education officials have been blamed for the declining academic performance of learners in Kabarole District.
For about three years, Kabarole District has registered poor results in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE). According to stakeholders, the district and Fort Portal City were previously ranked among the best-performing areas in the region, a position they say has since significantly declined.
Speaking during the Kibale Forest Schools’ Annual General Stakeholders Meeting held over the weekend at Kasisi Primary School in Kabarole District, the County Director, Dr. Emily Otali, said the poor performance should partly be attributed to district education officers who have failed to effectively carry out their supervisory roles.
Dr. Otali explained that the Kibale Schools Programme under the Kasisi Schools Project, an initiative aimed at protecting Kibale National Park and other conservation areas, has been supporting 16 schools located around the park in the districts of Kabarole, Bunyangabu, and Kyenjojo.
She revealed that a total of 1,529 candidates from these schools sat for the recent PLE. Of these, only 21 passed in Division One, while 328 obtained Divisions Two, Three, and Four, and 161 candidates were graded Division U.
Dr. Otali expressed disappointment with the results, noting that more effort is needed to improve the education of children in Kabarole District.
In response, the Kabarole District Education Officer, Joseph Rujumba, said that good academic performance requires a combined effort from head teachers, School Management Committees (SMCs), and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs). He urged all stakeholders to step up their roles in supporting schools.
He emphasized that when these three bodies are not functioning effectively, good academic results cannot be expected.
Leaders Accused of negligence of duty
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kasenene, a former Inspector of Schools in Kabarole District and co-founder of the Kibale Forest Schools initiative, accused School Management Committees of failing to perform their key responsibilities in the schools they represent.
According to the Kasisi Project Director, Patrick, the project has so far supported more than 200 children by paying school fees for their secondary education. The initiative has also implemented several development projects in primary schools, including the construction of pit latrines, extension of water services, and promotion of environmental conservation.
The Annual General Meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including the Kabarole District Chairperson, Richard Rwabuhinga; the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kabarole, Frank Asaba; and the Mayor of Kiko Town Council, Bright Jabawo, among others.