Pader candidate classes suffer amid ongoing teachers’ strike

25 September 2025, 16:49

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Candidate classes in Pader District are bearing the brunt of the ongoing teachers’ strike organised by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), with pupils, parents, and local leaders appealing for urgent intervention.

The industrial action, which has affected schools nationwide, is raising concerns over the academic progress of pupils preparing for national examinations.

Kilama Fearless Wodacholi, LC III Chairperson of Pader Town Council, visited several schools in the district and expressed concern over the strike’s impact.

“I visited schools and found that the strike is affecting learning, especially in candidate classes. I met with Primary Seven pupils in boarding schools and encouraged them not to give up but to continue studying,” Wodacholi said.

He also reported that he had engaged the School Management Committee (SMC) at Paipir Primary School, who confirmed that parents had reportedly threatened teachers, despite their constitutional right to demonstrate.

Wodacholi noted that a meeting between the PTA, teachers, and SMC is scheduled for Friday, 26 September, to explore ways to support candidate classes during this critical period.

Community members have echoed these concerns. Acen Rose, a resident of Paipir in Luna Parish, appealed to the government to take immediate action.

“This is not right. Teachers should have considered that this is the third term, a promotional term, and the most affected are candidate classes. The children being punished are their own. I am appealing to the government to intervene,” she said.

Margret Opio, a parent, described the situation as “painful and unfair.” She expressed frustration over the lack of guidance from the UNATU leadership and highlighted the challenges faced by single parents.

“Candidate classes are still at home, yet PLE examinations are next month. How am I expected to prepare my child in such a short time? We struggle to pay school fees, yet our children are not benefiting,” Opio said.

She urged the government to meet the teachers’ demands and ensure a prompt return to classrooms.

Atare Cliph, Chairperson of the Paipir Primary School PTA, confirmed that a special meeting will be held on Friday at 9:00 am to discuss urgent measures for supporting Primary Six and Seven learners.

The meeting aims to bring together parents, teachers, and community representatives to safeguard the academic progress of affected pupils.

Hon. Adonga Phillips Obalim, Pader District Secretary for Education, emphasised that the strike is a nationwide issue and warned of its potential impact on national examination results.

“The future of our children is now in the hands of teachers participating in the strike. While teachers deserve better pay, teaching must continue. UNEB examinations will take place at the end of October, regardless of whether the strike continues,” Obalim said.

He urged all schools in Pader to work closely with parents and available teachers to ensure that candidate pupils continue their learning.

In the recently released 2025 mock results, out of 3,504 registered candidates, 1,781 (50.5%) failed, while only 94 pupils (2.7%) attained Division I.

As the strike enters its second week, the community is calling for urgent dialogue between government officials and UNATU leadership.

The strike has left learners in Pader, particularly candidates, stranded, as UNATU maintains that teaching will not resume until salary disparities are addressed.

With over three years of unmet promises, the standoff now threatens students’ preparation and performance in national examinations.