Low learner turnout marks first day of term one in Pader district schools

10 February 2026, 04:30

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Schools across Pader District officially reopened for the first term of the 2026 academic year on Tuesday, but learner turnout on the first day was critically low, particularly in government-aided schools, despite teachers reporting for duty.

Although most schools were operational, teaching and learning activities were actively taking place in privately own schools.

In most schools visited, lessons had not yet started due to extremely low student attendance, except in some privately owned schools, such as Jireh Nursery and Primary School and Mt. Zion in Pader Town Council.

Across the district, government primary schools registered very low learner turnout compared to their total enrolment.

At Paipir Primary School, learner turnout on the first day of the 2026 academic year was low, with only 109 pupils present out of last year’s 680 enrolled. 13 out of 15 government teachers were present.

Headteacher Mrs. Lalam Monica Odong emphasized that teaching and learning will continue, with a commitment to improving academic performance following last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations results.

Mrs. Odong urged parents to send their children to school promptly, bringing last year’s report cards and information on their children’s health status to help the school maintain accurate records and ensure learners’ wellbeing.

She stressed that education is a shared responsibility, calling for cooperation between parents, teachers, and the community to guarantee quality learning for all pupils.

Laminyim Primary School recorded five learners out of 275, Ociga Primary School registered two learners out of 140, while Otong Primary School had nine learners present despite an enrolment of 611.

Porogali Primary School recorded 10 learners against an enrolment of 828, and Oyeny Yeng Primary School registered 36 learners out of over 500 enrolled pupils.

At the secondary level, Lagwi Seed Secondary School, a government O- and A-Level institution, registered 121 learners on the first day compared to a total enrolment of 1,094 last year.

Although teachers were present, full teaching activities had not yet commenced.

Headteacher Mr. Okot Poul confirmed that preparations were complete and called upon parents to ensure learners report immediately.

“Teaching will commence as learners report. Students who delay coming to school risk missing important academic work at the beginning of the term,” he said.

However, despite teachers being on duty, lessons had not started in most schools due to low learner turnout.

Headteachers from both government and private schools indicated that teaching would begin on the second day of term once more learners report.

Among private schools, Jireh Nursery and Primary School in Pader Town Council stood out as one of the few institutions where lessons had already begun on the first day.

The school registered 445 learners, including 231 boys and 214 girls, compared to last year’s enrolment of 743.

Headteacher Mrs. Akello Irene attributed the smooth start to early preparation.

“Our teachers reported two weeks before reopening to prepare lesson plans and schemes of work. Learning starts immediately from day one,” she said.

Mt. Zion, another privately owned school, also commenced teaching activities on the first day.

Pader Town College, although privately owned, did not begin lessons on the first day due to extremely low learner turnout. Only 15 students reported to school.

Headteacher Mrs. Namaja Egulansi said the school was fully prepared but could not start teaching effectively with such low numbers.

“The school has officially opened and teachers are ready. However, learner enrolment on the first day has been very low,” she said.

Mrs. Egulansi assured parents that lessons would commence on the second day of term and urged them to send learners to school without delay, noting that some parents were still struggling with school fees and preparation of learning materials.

The Pader District Inspector of Schools, Mr. Francis Olwoch, expressed serious concern over the low learner turnout, particularly in government schools.

“In most schools visited, about 80 percent of teachers have reported for duty. The major concern remains the absence of learners,” he said.

Mr. Olwoch observed that private schools generally had learners in class while government schools remained largely empty, attributing the challenge mainly to parental attitude.

He also emphasized the responsibility of teachers to be fully prepared once learners report.

“Education is a shared responsibility,” Mr. Olwoch emphasized. “Delayed reporting only disadvantages the learners.”

Local leaders and education stakeholders called upon parents to prioritize education and ensure children report to school on time.

According to the Ministry of Education and Sports academic calendar, Term One runs from 10 February to 1 May 2026, and teaching is expected to begin from the first day of the term.

According to the Pader District Education Office, last year’s Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) performance recorded 95 First Grades, 1,347 Second Grades, 922 Third Grades, 485 Fourth Grades, 606 candidates in Division U, and 50 absentees.