Agago parents face arrest for keeping school children in farms

29 March 2025, 8:00 AM

By Freeman Canogura

Authorities in Agago District have warned parents and guardians against keeping school going children at home to work on farms during the ongoing planting season instead of sending them to school. With schools working to complete the first-term curriculum, officials stress the need for full-time attendance to ensure learners do not fall behind.

Since early March, many areas in Agago and across Uganda have received above-normal rainfall, prompting farmers to start planting. However, officials urge parents to prioritize education, warning that missing school could have long-term effects on children’s academic performance and future prospects.

Agago District Senior Probation Officer, Juma Mohammed, cautioned parents against using their children as farm labourers during school hours. He emphasized that those who violate this directive risk arrest. He advised that children can assist with farm work on weekends but must not be kept out of school, as the new curriculum requires their full-time participation. He also encouraged learners to report cases where they are forced to stay home for farming instead of attending school.

Agago District LCV Chairperson, Leonard Ojok, urged parents to take education seriously, emphasizing that it is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. He noted that when children receive proper education and succeed, they help improve their families’ livelihoods and contribute to community development. He called on religious, cultural, and local leaders to educate the public on the dangers of keeping children out of school, which increases the risk of dropouts.

Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Susan Akot Moro, issued a strong warning to parents who continue to send their children to farms or markets instead of school. She expressed concern over consistently poor performance in national exams, linking it to high absenteeism caused by child labour. She assured the public that authorities will work closely with the police to ensure parents who violate the law are held accountable and that every child has access to education.