Lira | To combat the prevalence of strikes in the Lango sub-region, North Kyoga Police has begun implementing community policing in schools.
North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson SP Jimmy Patrick Okema told tndNews earlier this week that the region has registered 18 cases of school strikes since the start of the current academic year [2024].
Alebtong district leads with four cases, followed by Amolatar three, Kwania two, Lira City two, Kole two, and Oyam one, among others.
Okema stated that high levels of drug abuse among students are the primary cause of these strikes.
According to the PRO, police officers are currently visiting schools to meet with administrators, student leaders, and other stakeholders, providing them with training on how to manage students’ welfare and some errant students who have turned to drug abuse.
He advised schools to keep students engaged in a variety of activities to avoid redundancy.
Sofia Rose Acen, headteacher of Lira Town College, expressed gratitude to the Police for launching such initiatives.
She described the frequency of these strikes as “alarming.”
Some of these strikes, she claims, are organised by lazy teachers who later conspire with students for personal gain.
Ambrose Ogwal, Director of Wisdom High School in Kole, attributed some of the blame to school leadership, claiming that they always promise students and parents what they cannot afford in order to attract students.
He cautioned school administrators against admitting transfer students without conducting background checks from their previous school.
“Most schools are now after numbers of students because their sole focus is money; why can’t you admit a few dedicated students who will pass?
“We are doing poorly in the academic world because some school directors prioritise money over academic excellence,” Ogwal stated.
He encouraged schools to handle staff welfare well and equip student leaders with powers and knowledge on how to communicate with students.
By Felix Omara.
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