Lira, Uganda – Education remains a top priority for Lira District Woman MP, Hon. Linda Agnes Auma, who has once again extended support to outstanding pupils who excelled in the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
Auma, through her ongoing education support initiative, donated metallic boxes to 55 pupils from Erute North and Erute South constituencies as a way of appreciating their academic excellence and encouraging them to continue their education journey into secondary school.
The donation, which took place on Monday February 10, 2025 in Lira District, was coordinated by Jacob Ocen, who oversees the MP’s initiatives in the district.
He emphasized that this gesture is not new but part of Hon. Auma’s continuous efforts since she was elected in 2021 to support education in Lira and beyond.
“We were motivated by the pupils’ performance, and this donation is meant to support them so they remain focused on education. Auma believes that empowering young learners is the best way to build a brighter future for our district,” Ocen said during the event.
Beyond local support, Hon. Auma has also partnered with the Jerusalem Institute of Health Sciences in Lira City to introduce German language training for students in Lira District.
This initiative is aimed at creating scholarship and job opportunities in Germany, with the first group of students expected to travel this August.
Ocen emphasized that this is part of Hon. Auma’s broader vision, not only for Lira and the Lango Sub-region but for Uganda as a whole.
“Hon. Auma is always looking for ways to help the youth and students in Lira. She has utilized every opportunity to bring benefits to our people, and the German language initiative will help many young Ugandans secure scholarships and work abroad,” Ocen stated.
While Hon. Auma’s efforts are boosting education, Lira District still faces major challenges affecting school performance, as highlighted by Freddy Okwe, the Mayor of Amach Town Council, during an interview with a reporter from Dokolo Post today.
Okwe identified two major problems in government-aided schools:
1. Lack of parental support for school meals: Many parents fail to pay school fees for meals, leaving pupils hungry and unable to concentrate in class.
“Children loiter around during lunchtime instead of focusing on studies. This has affected their performance badly, especially in upper classes,” Okwe explained.
2. Negligence and poor parental supervision: Many school-going children are found in markets and entertainment places instead of attending school.
“Parents have failed to control their children. You will find 9-year-olds roaming markets and dancing places instead of being in class. Poor family management is killing education in our district,” Okwe added.
Okwe further criticized some teachers and headteachers for their lack of commitment.
“It is very disappointing to see that in some schools, pupils report early, but teachers don’t show up. Some teachers disappear after morning sessions, and some headteachers live far from the schools they manage,” he said.
To improve performance in government Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools, Okwe urged the government to inject funds to ensure that pupils receive lunch at school, emphasizing that hunger is a major obstacle to learning.
“If we don’t take this seriously, pupil performance will only get worse,” he warned.
The poor performance in Erute South was particularly concerning to him.
“It is painful that only 22 pupils in Erute South managed to get first grade in the recent PLE results. This shows how much needs to be done,” Okwe lamented.
He commended Hon. Auma for her efforts in boosting education and expressed hope that her initiative would encourage parents to take their children’s education more seriously.
To address the low school enrollment rates, which stood at only 10% last week in Amach Town Council, Okwe has been moving around personally to chase children found loitering instead of attending school.
“I have been going around Amach Town Council, ensuring that children are not at water points or markets during school hours. Parents who fail to take their children to school will be arrested and fined UGX 50,000,” he warned.
Hon. Linda Agnes Auma’s initiatives are making a significant impact on education in Lira District.
From supporting outstanding PLE performers to introducing German language training for global opportunities, she is creating lifelines for students and their future careers.
However, challenges persist, as highlighted by Mayor Okwe. Parental negligence, teacher absenteeism, and lack of school meals continue to hold back many pupils, threatening the future of education in Lira District.
