School leaders urged on child protection, improved management
Senkasi noted that teacher attrition has become a growing problem as government recruitment attracts staff away from low-fee rural schools.
Participants pose for a group photo during the opening day of the annual school leadership conference on December 8, 2025. (Credit: Ivan Tsebeni)
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School leaders have been urged to strengthen child protection, improve management systems and confront rising dropout rates.
The call was made as the annual school leadership conference opened on December 8, 2025, in Kampala city by PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools) country director Henry Senkasi. He said the three-day conference aims to review the network’s 2025 performance and prepare for 2026 targets.
“We are here to celebrate progress but also to look honestly at the challenges of teacher retention, dropout rates and safeguarding concerns,” he said.
“Child protection is non-negotiable. When abuse is suspected, school leaders must act immediately.”
Senkasi added that teacher attrition has become a growing problem as government recruitment attracts staff away from low-fee rural schools.
“We are losing good teachers because the government cannot offer higher pay,” he noted.
The organisation, which operates affordable secondary schools in 24 districts, registered over 1,000 new students and 98% retention this year, according to the head of the school network.
“Our priority is access, quality and sustainability,” he said. “Even in the poorest communities, we want children to stay in school, learn well and remain safe.”
He warned that poverty-driven absenteeism remains widespread. “Many girls come late because they are caring for babies at home, and some are young mothers returning to school,” he said.
National context
The education ministry repeatedly urged schools to prioritise safeguarding, noting that over 34% of Ugandan girls are married before 18, contributing to high dropout rates. Ministry guidelines require schools to report all suspected abuse cases immediately.
Unicef Uganda has also warned that child protection violations remain a major barrier to education, especially in rural communities. The agency reports that nearly 1 in 4 Ugandan adolescents misses school due to domestic chores, caregiving burdens or financial constraints.
The conference was expected to set 2026 targets focusing on improved enrolment, tighter safeguarding systems and stable school financing.
“We want every school to hit its targets,” Senkasi said. “Where challenges exist, we will overcome them together.”