Secondary schools in Alebtong, Uganda, are facing a severe crisis. A drastic shortage of teachers, combined with parents struggling to pay school fees, means fewer students are attending classes. Education leaders warn that these problems are making it incredibly difficult for schools to function properly.
At Aloi Secondary School, the headteacher, Dorcus Ejang, explained the severe lack of teaching staff. The government only pays 17 teachers, even though the school needs many more. This forces the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) to pay the salaries for the rest.
With over 500 students, the school also doesn’t have enough dormitory space. Ms. Ejang shared a worrying trend: dozens of students did not return for the second term, a problem affecting many schools in the area. She also pointed out that many parents are delaying or only partially paying school fees. This makes it hard for the school to cover its costs and support both teachers and students. Ms. Ejang urged parents to pay their fees so the school can continue to operate.
The situation is similar at Omoro Secondary School, where Headteacher Ocen Peter reported that over 100 students failed to return for the second term. He believes this is mainly due to widespread poverty, which makes it impossible for many families to afford sending their children to school. Despite these financial hardships, Mr. Ocen stated that the school will not send students home because of unpaid fees, recognizing the genuine struggles many families face.
Moses Agel, the acting Education Officer for Alebtong District, confirmed that the ongoing teacher shortage is because the government has stopped hiring new staff. This freeze on recruitment is directly impacting the quality and availability of education for thousands of children in the district.