250 children held over skipping school

A child picked from the street by the police tries to resist arrest. PHOTO BY ALI MAMBULE.

What you need to know:

  • Masaka Municipality education officer Steven Kakeeto says the operation targeted all children found along streets and markets during class hours.
  • Majority of those arrested were found vending edibles, polythene bags, fruits and other agricultural products.

MASAKA. Police in Masaka District are holding a total of 250 school-going children over dodging classes.
The operation conducted by police in partnership with Masaka Municipality education officials follows rampant cases of absenteeism in schools.
Masaka Municipality education officer Steven Kakeeto said the operation targeted all children found on streets and markets during class hours.

Most of the children aged between seven and 15, who were arrested, were found vending edibles, polythene bags, fruits and other agricultural products.
“We plan to extend this operation to the entire municipality. The number of children shunning school, especially in Nyendo-Sennyange Division, is overwhelming,” Mr Kakeeto said on Wednesday
Masaka deputy RDC Joseph Sekasamba, who was part of the operation, said the children will be screened and those with parents will be released and warned never to skip classes again while the rest will be taken to remand homes.

Operation ongoing
After registering success, Sekasamba said they are now planning to carry out similar operations in other divisions including Katwe-Butego and Kimaanya-Kyabakuza.
“We will not stop at arresting the children but the parents will also be charged with child neglect,” he added.
Kakeeto said though some parents blame government for neglecting the education sector, they have also equally abandoned their responsibilities towards their own children.
“Parents whose children are not in school may not survive the next operation,” Mr Kakeeto warned.

Parents explain
Most parents who turned up to pick their children from Nyendo-Sennyange Division headquarters claimed their children had been sent back home for fees.
The division chairperson, Mr Joseph Mulindwa Nakumusana, however, advised them to consider enrolling their children to public schools where education is free.
Ms Margret Kisekulo, a resident in Nyendo Town, urged local authorities to enact bye-laws that compel parents to keep their children at school.