Dokolo District Struggles as Only 16 Pupils Score First Grade in Government Schools

Dokolo District's education performance has come under scrutiny after a district review meeting revealed that only 16 pupils from government-aided primary schools achieved Division One (DV1) in the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

David Livingstone Okello, the District Inspector of Schools, disclosed the findings on Thursday during a review meeting held at the Dokolo District Council Hall.

Okello expressed disappointment, noting that despite having 60 government-aided schools, only 16 pupils attained Division One, a stark contrast to private schools, where 100 pupils achieved the top grade. He described the results as embarrassing and called for urgent action to improve performance.

Among the worst-performing schools the district noted include; Amonoloco , Hassa Memorial, Adok, Bardyang, Amunamun ,and Apye primary schools.

Others are Alyejuk, Dokolo, Awiri, and Tetugu primary schools.

These schools registered numerous Division U (ungraded) results, signaling a critical need for intervention from different stakeholders.

Despite the poor performance, the district also witnessed good results from some schools, including; Iguli, Adip, Ilong, Adwala Central, Apenyoweo, and Amuda primary schools.

Others are Awialem, Igar, Akwanga, Angwecibange, and Agwata primary schools. 

Okello further identified Agwata, Amwoma, Bata Town Council, Kangai, Adeknino, and Kwera sub-counties as the worst-performing sub counties in the district.

He attributed the poor results to several challenges, including; lack of action against underperforming teachers, high pupil absenteeism, late reporting to school, and parents failing to provide scholastic materials.

Others noted also include poor parental attendance at PTA meetings, inadequate teacher preparation and failure to discipline head teachers who do not produce Division One candidates.

The session also moved a call for action with David Eryatu, the District Education Officer (DEO), warning head teachers exhibiting indiscipline aspects or consistently exhibiting poor performance noting that they would face demotion. 

He stated that they would be reassigned as classroom teachers to restore accountability and service delivery. 

Peter Emmanuel Ogwayu, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), reinforced this stance, announcing that the worst 10 performing head teachers in the 2025 PLE results would be demoted without hesitation.

Santos Okuja, the Secretary for Health and Education in the Dokolo District Local Government, urged teachers to lay a strong foundation for candidates by thoroughly screening and interviewing them before registration. He also called for immediate implementation of the meeting’s resolutions to improve performance.

Vice Chairperson LCV, Tonny Odongo Ocen, emphasized the need for teamwork, cooperation, and openness to correction to enhance the district’s educational performance. He also directed the CAO and DEO to provide a list of registered private schools for assessment.

Head Teachers and Private Schools Weighed in with Cons Okabo Opio, Chairperson of the Dokolo Head Teachers' Association, urging head teachers to fulfill their responsibilities through effective monitoring and supervision of teachers. 

He however blamed parents for resisting school programs, which he said contributed to poor performance in the 2024 Primary Leaving Examination.

Equally, Rev. Sam Omiat, Chairperson of the Dokolo Private Schools Association and Managing Director of Adwoki Technical School, recommended capacity-building workshops and seminars for head teachers to enhance their skills. 

He also advised schools to prioritize English over vernacular to help pupils perform better in exams. Additionally, he encouraged the district to invest in technical education to address youth unemployment that is still alarming in the district.

With belief that government intervention and accountability can yield the best, Jaffer Ocaya, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC), closed the meeting, urging authorities to implement the resolutions and hold all stakeholders accountable. 

Ocaya also called for mobilization efforts by political leaders, sub-county chiefs, town clerks, and local leaders to curb the increasing school dropout rates.

The district now faces the challenge of reversing its poor performance and ensuring better results in future PLE exams.