Poor participation raises concern over future of Pader MDD festival

5 August 2026, 8:31 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

The Chairperson of Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) in Pader District, Abakuk Okwir, has raised concern over declining participation in MDD activities, warning that the programme risks losing its relevance if schools and leaders do not give it greater attention.

Okwir said only a small number of schools participated in the recent district MDD competitions, despite the programme’s role in promoting culture, nurturing learners’ talents and building confidence among young people.

He said MDD has gradually lost support from some schools and stakeholders, yet the Ministry of Education and Sports continues to recognise it as an important component of the education system.

Okwir argued that MDD provides learners with opportunities to develop their talents and preserve cultural identity, calling for increased support from schools, parents and local leaders.

He also pointed to limited preparation time and inadequate support as some of the challenges affecting participation and the quality of performances.

Dickens Omunyukol Oyet, the District Inspector of Schools, who also doubles as the MDD patron for Pader District, expressed concern over the state of MDD activities, calling for more efforts to restore interest and encourage more schools to participate in the competitions.

Joyce Anek Ongee, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), acknowledged the concerns raised by MDD leaders and said better planning and coordination among stakeholders would help strengthen the programme.

Anek said schools and organisers need adequate preparation time, adding that early communication and support would improve participation in future competitions.

The recent Pader District MDD competition saw Olworngu Primary School emerge as the overall winner with 1,081 marks, followed by Lapak Primary School with 834 marks and Gore Primary School in third position with 783 marks.

The competition featured 13 categories, including traditional folk song and dance, drama, sight singing, vocal solo, storytelling, poetry and creative dance.

Official results show that only three primary schools competed in the cluster, a situation organisers say reflects the declining number of participating schools despite the wide range of disciplines offered.

Pader District is expected to host this year’s regional MDD competitions, with arrivals scheduled for 13 August and the final day set for 15 August at Pader Community Church.