Bata P/S Left With Only 4 P.7 Pupils as Enrollment Crashes Ahead of 2025 PLE

Dokolo, Uganda – Bata Primary School in Bata Town Council is experiencing a sharp decline in candidate attendance, with only four Primary Seven pupils reporting for the second term in preparation for the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

Head Teacher Anthony Okwir revealed that although the school registered 25 candidates in the first term, only four female pupils have returned for the new term with no boys attending.

Okwir expressed concern over the potential academic outcome of the registered candidates, urging parents to return their children to school and prioritize education.

He attributed the drop in attendance to high absenteeism, which has reduced the school’s overall enrollment from 1,087 to just 438 learners.

Raphael Okello, the Male District Councillor for Bata Town Council, voiced disappointment over the situation and vowed to launch a campaign starting Tuesday to take action against parents who fail to send their children to school.

Santo Okuja, the District Secretary for Health, observed that many children have been kept at home to assist in garden work. He appealed to parents to recognize education as the foundation for a better future.

Bata Primary School is a government-aided institution with 11 teaching staff and a full capacity of over 1,000 pupils, now severely impacted by absenteeism and community disengagement.