Oyam District: CVA Practitioners Flag Education and Child Protection Challenges

25 August 2026, 8:02 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) Practitioners in Minakulu and Myene Sub-Counties, with support from World Vision Minakulu Area Program, have presented a powerful issue brief to leaders of Oyam District on August 25, 2026, in Minakulu Town Council.

The report was delivered by Adoch Stella, a Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) practitioner, highlighting the state of education and child protection following monitoring exercises conducted between July 13 and July 31, 2026, in government‑aided primary schools. The findings were presented today during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held at the Council Hall in Oyam.

The findings revealed major challenges undermining education delivery. Pupils continue to share water sources with communities, with schools such as Aceno Primary failing to install tanks provided by World Vision. Girls’ changing rooms remain inadequate, with only Apworocero Primary School having proper facilities. Attendance drops during planting and harvesting seasons, while child labour persists despite a reduction in defilement cases. School feeding programs remain limited, with meals provided only to candidates and semi-candidates. Many teachers live outside school premises, overcrowding is rampant, and infrastructure gaps were noted across several schools.

At Alworopii Primary School, 443 pupils in Primary Four are handled by only three teachers. In schools like Kongo, Okule, and Aminomir, inadequate latrines, poorly protected desks, and congested classrooms were observed. The report further emphasized urgent challenges including classroom shortages, poor midday meal coverage, inadequate latrine stances, and infrastructure decay. At Alworopii Annex Primary School, bats destroyed ceiling boards in a twin house built by World Vision, exposing learners to unsafe conditions.

Education stakeholders voiced strong concerns during the presentation. Jimmy Brown Aloro, headteacher of Opuk Primary School, urged World Vision to cooperate with district leaders to connect tanks directly to boreholes to ensure clean water access.

Tonny Mamba Omara, headteacher of Abulolyec Primary School, criticized the selective feeding program, calling for government intervention to enforce parental responsibility in providing meals.

Denish Olila, known as Wot Agwoko, blamed parents for failing to guide children on proper use of facilities, urging government support for the education sector.

James Ogwal, LC3 Chairperson of Myene Sub-County, appreciated World Vision’s support but stressed the urgent need for schools to install tanks and construct girls’ changing rooms. He called upon parents to contribute resources to improve school facilities and ensure consistent attendance.

Representing the Chief Administrative Officer’s office, Mark Obangkwon noted that children face immense challenges due to parental neglect. He urged parents to prioritize their children’s future and pledged to present the CVA findings to the CAO for decisive action. He commended World Vision for its continued positive role in supporting schools across Oyam District.

This issue brief underscores the pressing need for collective action by government, parents, and development partners to address the gaps in education and child protection, ensuring a better future for children in Oyam District.