By Chris Woo
The dropout rate among schoolgirls in Oyam District stands at a concerning 64%, according to a recent report. This was revealed by Victoria Harriet Anyango, Programs Manager in charge of Education at the Foundation for Inclusive Community Help (FICH), during a joint community dialogue held at Lela Market in Loro Subcounty. The dialogue aimed to address issues affecting education and to clarify each stakeholder’s role in tackling these challenges.
The theme for the dialogue was “Where is my child headed to?”
According to Anyango, a quarterly survey conducted in March highlighted that 64% of girls, especially in primary classes five, six, and seven, dropped out of school compared to only 36% of boys. The survey findings suggest that parents continue to prioritize boys’ education over girls, often with the intent to marry off their daughters.
Anyango noted that while parents cited reasons such as illness, domestic responsibilities, and household chores for the girls’ absence, closer investigation revealed that many of these girls were either pregnant or already married. She emphasized that parents are aware of the importance of education and should be held accountable if they fail to support their daughters’ schooling.
In her closing remarks, Anyango stated that the dialogue was part of a broader community education program spanning eleven villages. She expressed hope that a policy brief could be developed in collaboration with district stakeholders and Members of Parliament to address the challenges facing the communities in Loro and Iceme Subcounties.
Daniel Okello, the LC5 councilor for Oyam Town Council, who represented the LC5 chairperson, commended FICH for their efforts and pledged district support in the fight against school dropouts. Benson Ongom, Oyam District’s Inspector of Schools, urged stakeholders to contribute resources to improve education standards and called on lawmakers to enact by-laws to address the dropout crisis.
Conny Atoo, the female LC5 councilor for Oyam Town Council, highlighted the need to provide the inspection team with adequate transportation, enabling them to reach even the most remote schools. She called on the government to prioritize policy implementation. Hanna Agang, the female LC5 councilor representing persons with disabilities, encouraged development partners to recruit sign language interpreters to ensure fair treatment for students with hearing impairments.
Night Akello, a resident of Lela Village in Loro Subcounty, pointed out that the lack of girls’ changing rooms contributes to the high dropout rate, particularly for those experiencing menstruation. She appealed to the government and other stakeholders to consider establishing changing rooms to support girls’ attendance and comfort in school.
In Oyam District, over 9,000 pupils drop out of school annually, according to a report from the education department.