The expiry of contracts for 91 teachers in Palabek Refugee Settlement has raised concerns about preparing candidates for national examinations, with Lamwo district leaders appealing for urgent government intervention to prevent a disruption in learning.

The affected teachers, who have been teaching in primary and secondary schools under a humanitarian-funded education programme, are expected to leave after Save the children fails to secure funding to renew contracts beyond September 2026.

The teachers were recruited through Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) under the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)-funded RISE project, led by Save the Children.

In a letter dated September 30, 2026, addressed to the Lamwo Chief Administrative Officer, Save the Children said the teachers’ contracts had reached their expiry date after a two-month extension granted in July, with no additional funding confirmed.

The organisation said it was engaging the Ministry of Education and Sports, education development partners and other stakeholders to explore possible solutions while urging the district to identify measures to maintain teaching and learning until the end of the academic year.

Lamwo district chairperson Oyet Sisto Ocen said the timing of the teachers’ departure was a major concern because some of the affected schools have candidate classes that require continued academic support ahead of their examinations.

“We need urgent intervention from the Ministry of Education to have an alternative to this because this has happened in the middle of the third term, and in some of these schools we have candidate classes who need the attention of teachers to complete their exams,” Ocen said.

He appealed to the Ministry of Education and Sports and development partners to intervene before the shortage of teachers affects syllabus coverage and learners’ examination preparations.

Among the affected institutions are Ogili Secondary School, Paluda Secondary School, Bright Future Primary School, Glory Land Primary School, Progressive Primary School and Aywee Primary School, among others.

Lamwo District Education Officer Banabas Langoya said the education department was aware of the situation and was engaging stakeholders to find a solution to the impending staffing gap.

Langoya urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to explore possibilities of extending the teachers’ contracts as the government considers taking over support for some of the affected schools.

He revealed that a team from the Ministry of Education and Sports had visited some of the schools on Monday to assess their eligibility for government support through the school coding process.

“On Monday, a team from the Ministry of Education was in the affected schools inspecting them for coding. If all goes well, at least six schools will be coded, and the Government will provide support for them,” Langoya said.

School coding would allow eligible institutions to receive government support, potentially reducing their dependence on humanitarian-funded education programmes.

However, Langoya’s remarks suggest that the proposed government support is still subject to the outcome of the assessment, while the expiry of the teachers’ contracts requires an immediate response.

The affected schools serve both refugee and host-community children in Palabek Refugee Settlement and surrounding areas, where humanitarian support plays an important role in the delivery of education.

Save the Children said it remained committed to supporting access to quality and inclusive education for refugee and host-community children, despite the funding constraints.

The organisation copied its letter to the Lamwo District Education Officer, UNHCR head of office, Refugee Desk Officer, YARID executive director and heads of the affected schools.

The district is now counting on the Ministry of Education, UNHCR and other development partners to identify an interim arrangement that will enable learners to continue receiving lessons as the academic year approaches its end.