Uganda Parliament Addresses Unregulated Holiday Coaching

The practice of holiday coaching, often seen in both private and public schools, is drawing sharp criticism from Uganda’s Parliament. Hon. Bulasio Zambaali, Shadow Minister of Sports and MP for Nansana Municipality, highlighted the issue as a matter of national concern, stating that these extended learning periods undermine the intended purpose of school breaks.

According to Zambaali, holiday periods are crucial for students to rest and strengthen family bonds. However, some educational institutions are reportedly exploiting these breaks for continued instruction, effectively turning them into extended classroom sessions.

In response, the Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports), Hon. Peter Ogwang, firmly condemned the practice. He emphasized that the Ministry’s official school calendar clearly outlines teaching and holiday times, and that directives have been issued to enforce compliance. The Ministry views holiday teaching as a violation of established guidelines.

To combat this, the Ministry has launched a toll-free hotline, 0800 377 771. The public is encouraged to use this number to report any schools engaging in unauthorized holiday teaching. Ogwang assured that such reports would lead to swift police intervention.

He also cautioned school administrators against continuing the practice, reminding them of the legal framework, including the Education Act and the Constitution, which protects children’s right to rest and family life alongside their education. Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth urged the public to actively utilize the hotline to ensure timely investigation and resolution of reported cases.

Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4568/shadow-minister-sounds-alarm-over-holiday-coaching