Counsel Elvis Twenda, a prominent Kampala lawyer, has expressed deep concern over the dwindling enrollment of boys in schools, calling attention to the issue during a thanksgiving ceremony for businesswoman Bashabomwe Evelyn Kyarenga.
The event, held at Mwendo Church of Uganda in Maziba Parish, highlighted a growing gender disparity in education. While officiating at the ceremony, Twenda noted the dedication of five primary school pupils from Kentare Primary School for their upcoming exams.
Out of the five students, only one was a boy, with four being girls, underscoring the worrying trend of boys lagging behind in school enrollment.“If the number of boys in schools continues to decline, what does that mean for our future?” Twenda asked, raising concerns about long-term societal consequences. He emphasized the need for balanced education for both genders, stating that “our girls need educated men” to maintain future family and community stability.
The headteacher of Kentare Primary School, Mr. Benius Akankwasa, confirmed the issue, disclosing that of the 163 students currently enrolled, only 62 are boys. He attributed the decline to early school dropouts, driven by boys seeking casual labor opportunities. He also cited poor infrastructure, including difficult road conditions in the hilly region, which makes transportation to school challenging.
Akankwasa appealed to the government to improve road access in Nyanja Parish, Maziba Sub-County, to ensure that more children—especially boys—can access education without difficulty.Counsel Twenda’s remarks have sparked conversations about the importance of addressing this gender imbalance in education.
As communities look toward the future, leaders and educators are urging parents and government officials to work together to reverse the trend and secure educational opportunities for both boys and girls.
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