Dokolo, District – Dokolo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Barbara Akech has issued a stern directive ordering the immediate arrest of parents who have failed to send their children to school.
Speaking to the press from her office yesterday, Akech expressed deep concern over the growing number of school-age children who remain at home, a situation she says is contributing to Dokolo’s poor academic performance.
Akech revealed plans to coordinate with LC1, LC2, LC3 leaders, the police and the district education department to identify and apprehend parents who neglect their legal obligation to ensure their children attend school.
“This negligence is unacceptable. Starting 4th February, 2025, any parent keeping their child at home without a valid reason will be arrested and face the law. Likewise, any teacher who refuses to report to school and start teaching will also be arrested,” Akech stated firmly.
Her directive comes in response to alarming statistics showing that Dokolo has recently been ranked among Uganda’s worst-performing districts in terms of education.
Akech believes that strict enforcement measures are necessary to reverse this trend.
“Education is the backbone of our society. Without it, we are setting up future generations for failure. Parents must take responsibility,” she added.
In support of Akech’s initiative, Dokolo South Member of Parliament Felix Okot Okong has pledged financial backing to facilitate the enforcement operations.
He committed to providing fuel and other logistical support to security teams to ensure the directive is effectively implemented.
“We cannot allow our district to continue lagging behind. I am ready to support any effort that will improve the education sector,” Okong said.
The crackdown will involve joint operations where local leaders will work closely with law enforcement to track families whose children are not enrolled in school.
Authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against defiant parents, including possible prosecution under laws that mandate compulsory education for all children.
Some parents support the directive, acknowledging that it will push negligent families to prioritize education. Others, however, have raised concerns about the harshness of the approach, citing economic hardships as a major barrier to keeping children in school.
Despite the concerns, the RDC remains unwavering, emphasizing that education is a non-negotiable right for every child.
The district leadership believes that by enforcing attendance laws, they will not only improve academic performance but also address issues of child labor and early marriages, which are prevalent in the region.
Parents are now being urged to act swiftly, ensure their children are enrolled in school and avoid facing legal consequences.
The district hopes that this tough stance will mark the beginning of a new chapter in Dokolo’s education sector.
