The cultural leader of the Kumam people, Raphael Otaya, also known as Won Ateker Me Kumam Papa, has expressed concern over the deteriorating performance of learners across the Kumam Kingdom, calling for urgent and collective action to revive education standards in the community.
Otaya said the latest national examination results paint a worrying picture, with Kaberamaido District and Kalaki District ranking among the poorest performers in the Teso Sub-Region in both the Uganda National Examinations Board Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) and Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results.
While commending parents, teachers and school proprietors for their continued efforts, the cultural leader stressed that families must take greater responsibility in shaping children’s learning from an early age.
“A parent is the first teacher. Education begins at home before a child even steps into the classroom,” Otaya said.
He, however, expressed disappointment that many learners attend school on empty stomachs, particularly during afternoon lessons, which he said significantly affects concentration and academic performance.
Otaya further highlighted several challenges facing pupils, including lack of scholastic materials such as textbooks and pens, sharing or tearing books into halves, absence of school uniforms, and walking barefoot to school. He noted that such conditions create psychological stress and lower learners’ confidence.
He also pointed to domestic challenges, saying violent home environments negatively influence children’s behavior at school. In addition, he criticized some parents—especially mothers—for spending excessive time away from home instead of supporting their children or engaging in productive income-generating activities.
Proposed Solutions
As a way forward, Otaya called for coordinated interventions involving parents, teachers, local leaders and education authorities. Among the measures he proposed are:
- Providing accommodation and better welfare for teachers
- Strengthening cooperation between teachers and head teachers
- Intensifying school inspections
- Establishing school gardens to support feeding programs
He emphasized that introducing feeding programs should be treated as an immediate priority to help eliminate poor academic performance.
“A hungry child cannot learn effectively. Feeding programs must start now if we want to see improvement,” he said.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Asaku, the incumbent Youth Councillor and Deputy Speaker for Kalaki Sub-county, echoed the call for action. He urged parents to ensure children return to school promptly as the new term begins, describing education as the most valuable gift families can give their children.
“Education is the only lasting inheritance parents can offer the next generation,” Asaku noted.
Community leaders hope that renewed focus on parental involvement, proper feeding and improved learning conditions will help reverse the declining academic trends and restore pride in education across the Kumam Kingdom.
