By John Kusolo
In a landmark motion moved by Pian County Member of Parliament, Hon. Remigio Achia, Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Karamoja sub-region have called upon the Ugandan government to develop and implement a policy for free compulsory boarding school education for all learners in the region. This proposal was put forward during the regional parliamentary sittings held in Gulu City on Friday, 30 August 2024.
Historical Challenges in Karamoja
Hon. Achia highlighted the historical challenges that have plagued the Karamoja sub-region, where an alarming 65 per cent of the population lacks formal education. These challenges, according to Achia, have been compounded by high dropout rates, largely driven by poverty, the absence of school feeding programmes, long walking distances to schools, cultural responsibilities such as livestock farming, and historical injustices against the region.
“The high dropout rates at the primary level have led to a gross secondary school enrollment rate of only 19 per cent, resulting in one of the lowest adult literacy rates in the country at 25 per cent as of 2019/2020,” Achia noted in his presentation.
The Impact of Low Education Levels
Achia expressed deep concern over the severe consequences of these low education levels, particularly on the youth. He pointed out that many male dropouts are often recruited into violent activities such as cattle rustling, while female dropouts face early marriages and teenage motherhood. These factors, he argued, contribute to the region's high maternal and child mortality rates, exacerbating the cycle of poverty and insecurity in Karamoja.
Support from Other Legislators
The motion received overwhelming support from other MPs, including Napak District Woman Representative, Hon. Faith Nakut, who seconded the motion. Nakut reiterated the link between the region's low education levels and pervasive household poverty, noting that many children of school-going age (3-18 years) are absorbed into livestock herding, which exposes them to cycles of violence.
"Many children of school-going age (3-18 years) are absorbed into livestock herding which exposes them into cycles of violence," Nakut said, underscoring the urgency of addressing educational challenges in Karamoja.
A Call for Government Action
Several legislators emphasized that the human and economic costs of addressing insecurity in Karamoja far exceed the costs of implementing a robust educational policy. They referenced the devastating impact of insecurity on the region’s livestock economy, noting that in the decade leading up to 2010, Karamoja lost around 80 per cent of its cattle to insecurity. By 2019, districts like Kaabong had nearly lost their entire livestock population, further impoverishing the region.
Usuk County MP, Hon. Bosco Okiror, argued that investing in education is not only a moral imperative but also a direct investment in national economic growth and a strategy to divert young people from criminal activities.
Moving Forward: A Comprehensive Policy
While acknowledging the government's existing interventions, such as Universal Primary Education (UPE), Universal Secondary Education (USE), and the free compulsory boarding school programmes in some Karamoja schools, the legislators insisted that a comprehensive policy is needed. This policy would elevate the educational standards in the region, bolster existing initiatives, and ensure that every child in Karamoja has access to quality education in a secure environment.
The motion by Hon. Remigio Achia has brought to the forefront the urgent need for targeted educational reforms in Karamoja. If adopted, the proposed policy for free compulsory boarding school education could be a transformative step towards breaking the cycles of poverty and insecurity that have long plagued the sub-region, paving the way for a brighter future for its youth and the nation at large.
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