KATAKWI—Vice President Jessica Alupo has expressed concern over the high rate of school dropouts in the country.
Speaking during the commissioning of a three class block at Usuk Kids Nursery and Primary School in Usuk County, Katakwi district, Alupo said the country is still grappling with issues of school dropout rates which are high in some regions, especially for the girl child.
She called upon parents to keep children in school. “My constant prayer is for parents to do their level best to keep children of school going age at school,” Alupo said.
The Vice President emphasized that the country has 10m pupils in primary schools but only 2m are in secondary schools, a trend which is worrying.
“Children are not completing the education cycle. Parents must ensure that children complete the education cycle,” Alupo emphasized, adding that there is need to ensure all young people have quality and inclusive education which resonates with the sustainable development goal on education.
She lauded teachers both in public and private schools for accepting to teach as their salaries are being handled.
“I want to appreciate teachers for exhibiting a high degree of maturity by unconditionally allowing to return to School as we discuss the issue of salaries,” Alupo noted.
She urged children to have a spirit of self-drive to transform their lives. According to Florence Adungo, the headteacher, the school boasts of 396 children.
Alupo thanked IDI Uganda, a South Korean development partner for accepting to invest in the welfare and education of Ugandan children. They built the classroom block, supported by the Usuk community.
The Vice President also asked the Education Ministry to ensure coding and licencing of the school.
Alupo thanked Shinsegae church under IDI Uganda for the previous projects citing the 200 Sheep donated towards fighting household poverty.
Alupo also thanked the people of Usuk for voting her into Parliament but most especially for supporting president Yoweri Museveni.
On the Parish Development Model, Alupo asked the locals to get interested in its implementation saying it is a government approach for organizing and delivering the public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation at the parish level as the lowest economic planning unit.
The strategy ensures support for more Ugandans to increase their demand for goods and services with adequate bargaining power.
The MP for Usuk County Bosco Okiror thanked the Management of IDI Uganda Kumi Joy Lee for empowering Uganda’s children adding that an enlightened population is a healthy populace.
In attendance were the Deputy DRDC Katakwi Susan and several other leaders.
