Sembabule District Education Officer Mr. Muhammed Kiggwe has warned school authorities in the district not to be tempted to teach during the holidays.
Last week the issue was brought up by the MP for Nansana Municipality Hon. Zambari Bulasio Mukasa, pointing out that there are schools that charge parents to educate their children during the holidays which is contrary to the policy of the Ministry of Education and Sports.
“There is a rampant and unregulated practice of holiday teaching that commonly known as holiday coaching that is happening in both private and public schools. Honorable Speaker, holiday breaks were structured by Ministry of Education and Sports to allow our children have a rest or else have what we call a family bond but some schools have misused this, my prayer is that the ministry of education and sports issue a directive that can enforce compliance, strengthen oversight and also put some penalties to schools that have misused directive” he said during a plenary.
In response, Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports) Peter Ogwang said the perpetrators were doing this in violation of the law and provided MPs and Ugandans with toll-free numbers to report all those who conduct holiday lessons.
“The ministry of Education and Sports condemns the acts of holiday teaching, for purposes of us all coming together on behalf of the ministry give a hotline for any member of the public who finds any school anywhere in the country carrying out teaching, 0800377771 that number is toll free, you can call that number to tell them where the practice is taking place” Hon. Ogwang responded.
Now, speaking to our correspondent, Sembabule District Education Officer Mr. Muhammed Kiggwe, said that despite the ministry’s warnings, they have learned that some errant teachers are going ahead with lessons being conducted in their households and garages.
According to the D.E.O, some of them pretend to help parents but end up extorting exorbitant fees warning that they are risking arrest.
“Term closed on August 21, 2026, and will officially open on September 14, 2026, meaning 3 weeks of holidays, so I want to remind all headteachers and warn you to desist from conducting holiday lessons, let the children have rest, it’s also dangerous because many don’t put on uniform, secondly you pretend to help them and take money from them, I don’t want you to get in trouble and start chasing you like a chicken through the window for disobeying ministry’s directives, you will be very ashamed” he warned.
However, Kiggwe advised parents to prepare their children for early reporting, so that they have enough time to prepare for the final exams.
“There is a trend here in the district where parents send children to school 3 weeks after the official opening, this term includes final exams beginning with Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) in October, it means they will be 2 weeks left for the exams” Mr. Kiggwe added.
By Nashumbusha Joshua.
