Karamoja MPs Push for Compulsory Boarding Education Policy

Members of Parliament representing the Karamoja sub-region have called on the Ugandan government to implement a policy for free compulsory boarding school education for all learners in the region. The move aims to address challenges faced by Karamoja, including high dropout rates and low literacy levels.

Hon. Remigio Achia, MP for Pian County, introduced the motion during the regional parliamentary sittings in Gulu City. He highlighted the region's unique challenges, such as poverty, lack of school feeding programs, long walking distances, cultural responsibilities, and historical injustices, which have contributed to low educational attainment.

"The high dropout rates at the primary level have led to a gross secondary school enrollment rate of only 19 percent, resulting in one of the lowest adult literacy rates in the country at 25 percent as of 2019/2020," Achia said.

The motion was seconded by Hon. Faith Nakut, the Napak District Woman Representative, who emphasized the connection between low education levels and the cyclical insecurity in Karamoja. She noted that many children are forced to drop out of school to engage in livestock herding, which exposes them to the risks of conflict and violence.

Several legislators supported the motion, arguing that investing in education is a crucial step towards addressing the region's challenges. They noted that the economic costs of addressing insecurity in Karamoja far outweigh the costs of implementing a robust educational policy.

The MPs emphasized the need for a comprehensive policy that would build upon existing government initiatives, such as UPE, USE, and free compulsory boarding schools, to elevate educational standards in Karamoja and create a brighter future for its people.