Send children back to school early – Lango chief urges parents

As schools across the country prepare to reopen for term two on May 25, 2026, the interim Won Nyaci of the Lango Cultural Foundation, Fredrick Ogwal Oyee, has issued a passionate appeal to parents to send their children back to school during the very first week of reopening.

Ogwal Oyee, speaking to the media in Lira City over the weekend, emphasised that early reporting gives learners a significant academic advantage.

“Sending children back to school early enables them to catch up with lessons, learn much more, and ultimately finish the syllabus in good time,” Ogwal said. “Every day lost at the beginning of the term creates gaps that become difficult to close later.”

The cultural leader also directed a strong message to teachers, urging them to report to their respective schools without delay.

“Teachers must lead by example. If you expect children to be punctual and serious, you too must be at your duty posts on day one. Our children’s future depends on your commitment,” he said.

Acknowledging the economic hardships many families continue to face, Ogwal struck a tone of encouragement rather than condemnation. He appealed to parents who may not be able to send their children back early due to financial challenges not to lose hope.

“If you cannot make it in the first week, do not give up. Struggle hard and send them back as soon as you are able. Every day a child is in school is a day of investment in the future of Lango and Uganda,” he advised.

Education stakeholders in the Lango sub-region have welcomed Ogwal’s call, noting that school dropout rates often spike at the beginning of terms due to fee-related delays.

Many parents, they say, wait until mid-term to send children back, by which time critical foundational lessons have been covered.

Ogwal, who was appointed interim Wonyaci following the vacancy in the cultural institution, has made education advocacy one of the cornerstones of his acting leadership. He hinted at plans to work with local governments and school management committees to track attendance and support vulnerable learners.

Term two is widely regarded as the most academically intensive period in the Ugandan school calendar. Education experts say early attendance directly correlates with better performance on end-of-term and national examinations.

The Lango Cultural Foundation is expected to roll out a community sensitisation campaign ahead of May 25 to reinforce Ogwal’s message, using local radio stations and cultural gatherings to reach parents in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

“Education is the greatest gift we can give our children,” Ogwal said, adding, “Let us all play our part.”

By Alele Ronald