Education is the foundation of a prosperous nation, yet in Oyam District, this fundamental right was recently treated as a luxury that only some could afford. In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, Michael Okwir, the Deputy Head Teacher of Agobadong Primary School, was taken into police custody after allegedly turning away more than 150 students. Their offense? A failure to pay a meager 6,500 shillings in school-related charges.
This disturbing situation was uncovered during a routine monitoring exercise led by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Francis Behangana, alongside the District Internal Security Officer. The officials were struck by the sight of numerous children wandering the streets in groups during hours when they should have been in the classroom. Upon investigating the school, they discovered that these learners were being barred from their education over a small sum consisting of 3,500 shillings for PTA contributions and 3,000 shillings for mid-term exams.
The discovery at Agobadong Primary School revealed a deeper pattern of negligence. Beyond the mass expulsion of students, the monitoring team found that only eight teachers were actually present on the job by 9:45 a.m. Furthermore, serious concerns regarding financial integrity surfaced when a teller machine was found hidden at the head teacher’s private home rather than being utilized at the school for transparent accounting.
Deputy RDC Behangana has hit back at these practices, labeling them a direct violation of the government’s promise of free education. The Universal Primary Education program was established specifically to ensure that poverty is never a barrier to a child’s intellectual growth. By demanding these fees and sending children home, the school administration effectively slammed the door on the very children the government is trying to protect.
Local leaders have also voiced their deep frustration. Robert Opio Awelo, the Iceme Sub-county Chairperson, highlighted the devastating academic impact of missing even a single day of instruction. He noted that being sent home causes a student to lose out on up to eight vital lessons, a setback that directly leads to the declining attendance and poor performance currently plaguing the school. With an enrollment of over 1,100 pupils, the future of an entire community is at stake when educators prioritize small fees over the presence of students in class.
While Okwir reportedly confessed that his actions were wrong and pleaded for forgiveness during the inspection, the authorities chose to uphold the law. His arrest sends a powerful and necessary message to the entire education sector: the right to learn is sacred. No child should ever be robbed of their future over a few thousand shillings. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on restoring the integrity of the classroom and ensuring that every child in Oyam remains where they belong—at their desks, learning and growing.