Police in Oyam District are holding the headteacher of Aramita Primary School and officials of Bethel Nursery and Primary School over alleged violation of Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines on holiday teaching.
Gilbert Olwa, who is the headteacher of Aramita Primary School and director of Bethel Junior School in Ngai Sub-county, was arrested on Monday morning alongside Bonny Olwa, a school cook, following an operation led by the Oyam Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Francis Behangana.
The operation followed reports that Aramita Primary School was conducting teaching during the holiday, contrary to government guidelines.
According to Behangana, 26 learners were found attending lessons at the school when the enforcement team arrived.
He said the operation was part of efforts to ensure compliance with education guidelines and protect learners from activities that are not authorised during the holiday period.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to police at Ngai Police Station to aid investigations.
Some of the learners who recorded statements with police reportedly told investigators that they had been required to pay for the holiday programme.
The alleged collection of fees for holiday teaching is among the issues being investigated by police.
The allegations, however, are yet to be tested in court, and the school authorities have not been convicted of any offence.
Meanwhile, a similar operation at Bethel Nursery and Primary School in Ngai Sub-county resulted in the arrest of several people after authorities reportedly found learners receiving lessons during the holiday.
The privately owned school was raided following a tip-off that holiday teaching was taking place on the premises.
According to officials involved in the operation, two teachers who were reportedly teaching about 15 learners attempted to evade the enforcement team, with claims that some learners were being passed through windows.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are part of the ongoing police investigations.
School director Martin Olema and his wife, Stella Akullu, who were reportedly collecting fees at the school, were arrested.
Other staff members who were allegedly teaching at the time, identified as Ivan Ojok, Emmanuel Okwanga, Jaspher Elem and Sam Ogwang, were also picked up and taken to Oyam Central Police Station (CPS) to assist with investigations.
Police have opened files concerning the two incidents.
The case involving Aramita Primary School was recorded under SD Ref. 38/30/08/2026 at Oyam CPS, while the Bethel School case was recorded under SD Ref. 39/30/08/2026.
The suspects are being investigated on allegations of disobedience of lawful orders.
Authorities have not indicated whether charges have been formally sanctioned against all the suspects, and the investigations are ongoing.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has previously issued guidelines governing school activities during holidays, with school administrators expected to comply with directives issued by the Government.
The affected school administrators will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations as investigations continue.