Community dialogue highlights rising school dropout concerns, calls for stronger action in Latanya Sub-county

17 June 2026, 12:02 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

A community dialogue meeting held at Wili Wili Primary School in Latanya Sub-county, Pader District, has highlighted growing concerns over rising school dropout rates, with stakeholders calling for stronger community action, parental responsibility, and enforcement of education policies.

The meeting, organized by the Wilobo Wire Farmers Group, a community-based organisation supported by ADRA Uganda, brought together parents, School Management Committees (SMCs), PTA members, and local leaders to reflect on the causes of school dropouts and identify practical solutions to improve learner retention.

Speaking during the engagement, Patrick Odong Oryem, who is working with ADRA Uganda, emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between schools, parents, and community structures in addressing education challenges. 

He noted that ADRA Uganda, through the Enrich Project—focused on enhancing resilience, inclusion, and community strengthening—is working with boundary partners across different project areas to support education and community development initiatives.

He explained that the project engages schools, out-of-school youth, parents, SMCs, and PTAs to ensure inclusive participation in addressing barriers to education, while urging urgent and coordinated action to reverse the rising dropout trend.

Participants reportedly turned up in large numbers, reflecting strong community concern and interest in improving education outcomes. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the discussions would translate into practical interventions at household and school levels.

Balbina Atoo Odwar, Chairperson of the Wili Wili Farmers Group in Latanya Central Village, Golo Parish, noted that the group has existed since 2016 and, through ADRA Uganda’s support, many members have gained basic literacy skills they previously lacked. 

She added that sanitation interventions under the SCALE project have also improved community awareness and hygiene practices.

On education, she credited ADRA Uganda’s support for improved performance at Wili Wili Primary School, noting that the school previously struggled with poor results but recently achieved improved performance, with learners attaining at least second grades. 

However, she cautioned that dropout rates remain high, especially from lower primary classes into upper levels.

Despite these gains, stakeholders expressed concern that education is not fully prioritized in some households within Latanya. 

It was reported that many families rely heavily on subsistence farming, and during rainy seasons some parents reportedly keep children at home to work in gardens instead of attending school.

Local leaders at the meeting proposed the introduction of strict community bylaws to address the challenge, recommending that Local Council (LC) leaders enforce school attendance monitoring within their jurisdictions. 

They further suggested punitive measures against parents who keep school-age children out of school without valid reasons.

Samuel Okello, the PTA Chairperson of Wili Wili Primary School, attributed the dropout trend mainly to parental neglect, questioning why school-age children are kept at home despite government’s free education policy.

 He noted that learner numbers drop significantly after enrolment based on a small survey conducted across three villages in Golo Parish. He also commended teachers for their continued efforts to keep learners in school despite the challenges.

Stakeholders agreed that without stronger enforcement mechanisms, mindset change among parents, and sustained community engagement, efforts to reduce school dropouts may have limited impact. 

The dialogue reaffirmed the need for coordinated action between schools, local leaders, and communities to safeguard children’s right to education and improve retention in the sub-county.