By Our Reporter 

Soroti District – In a bold move to curb school absenteeism and boost education standards, local leaders in Soroti district are set to launch an enforcement operation aimed at compelling parents to send their children back to school.

Joseph Ebanu, the LC3 Chairperson of Kamuda Sub-county, has announced plans for an upcoming operation that will target households keeping school-aged children at home. Ebanu revealed that some parents are deliberately engaging their children in domestic work during school time, undermining their right to education.

“As part of our enforcement strategy, any parent found keeping a school-aged child at home during class hours will be fined UGX 20,000,” Ebanu stated, adding that the fine will be paid at the child’s school to reinforce the message that education is a priority.

He emphasized that the future of the Teso sub-region lies in education, urging parents to rise to the challenge and prioritize their children’s learning. “Education is the key to progress. We cannot afford to let our children stay behind,” he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Peter Ebau, the LC3 Chairperson of Awaliwal Sub-county, expressed concern over the low turnout of learners as schools reopened. He called on parents to prepare in advance by ensuring their children have the necessary school requirements, including uniforms, books, and scholastic materials.

“Late return to school is one of the biggest contributors to poor academic performance. Children need to start the term on time, just like their peers elsewhere in the country,” Ebau noted.

However, some parents in the region say their inability to pay school-related fees is holding their children back from returning. They cited stringent zero-balance policies in some public schools, which require all dues—including PTA contributions—be cleared before children can attend classes.

“We are trying our best to raise the money, but times are tough,” said one parent. “We just want our children to be in school, but the fees are a big challenge.”

In response to these concerns, Alfred Enyidu, Chairperson of Headteachers in Soroti City, advised parents to approach school administrations for clarity rather than relying on assumptions about fee policies.

“There are always avenues for negotiation,” Enyidu said. “Parents should engage with headteachers instead of keeping children at home.”

As the new school term begins, local authorities in Soroti are urging communities to rally around the shared goal of educating the next generation—one learner at a time.