education 26 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Schools Observe Holiday Teaching Ban Amidst Parliamentary Scrutiny
Educational institutions across Uganda are adhering to the Ministry of Education's prohibition on holiday classes, following increased pressure from Parliament to enforce the official school calendar. While most schools report compliance, the ban continues to spark debate among parents and educators regarding student preparation for national exams. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/schools-comply-with-holiday-teaching-ban-as-parliament-steps-up-pressure-5572662
Across various districts in Uganda, including Mpigi, Jinja, Nebbi, Ibanda, Mbarara, and Lira, schools appear to be respecting the Ministry of Education and Sports’ directive against conducting lessons during the official school break. Journalists conducting spot checks observed no formal holiday teaching activities, with some institutions instead advising students to undertake revision independently at home.
The Ministry maintains that school holidays are crucial for students to rest, connect with their families, and engage in non-academic pursuits. However, this ban has ignited a discussion among parents and teachers, particularly concerning the readiness of candidates for upcoming national examinations.
Parliament has also voiced concerns, with lawmakers noting instances of schools extending the academic term unofficially into the holiday period. Shadow Minister Bulasio Zambaali highlighted holiday coaching as a widespread and unregulated practice, urging for stricter adherence to the official school calendar. In response, the State Minister for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang, confirmed the ban had been communicated to local administrative officers and introduced a toll-free line (0800 377 771) for public reporting of violations.
Opinions among parents remain divided. Some believe that extra holiday lessons are vital for completing the curriculum and preparing for exams. Conversely, others view these classes as an added financial strain and an infringement on children’s essential rest time. Concerns are particularly pronounced for parents of candidate students, who fear their children might be at a disadvantage compared to peers attending unofficial holiday coaching.
Local education officials in the surveyed districts have reported no significant non-compliance, with some schools confirming the cancellation of their holiday programmes. The renewed focus on enforcing the ban is prompting schools to prioritize syllabus coverage within the designated term times and encouraging parents to support supervised home revision.