Bishop Sabino Raises Concern Over High School Dropout Rates in West Nile
OLUKO PARISH, ARUA DIOCESE - -
Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, Bishop of Arua Diocese, has expressed concern over the high rate of school
dropouts among children and young people in the West Nile sub-region, calling on parents to take a
leading role in advocating for children's education and ensuring they remain in school.
The Bishop made the remarks during the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation of 363 young people at St. Mary's
Oluko Parish in Arua Diocese, where he emphasised the importance of parental guidance and collective
responsibility in promoting education and keeping children in school.
He highlighted a common concern among young people who spend considerable time engaging in unproductive
activities. He urged parents to take a more active role in guiding their children towards meaningful and
productive pursuits. He observed that some youths spend hours seated by the roadside in webbed chairs,
watching vehicles pass by without engaging in constructive activities. Using the spider as an example,
he noted that even spiders weave webs to catch food, emphasising the importance of being purposeful and
using time productively.
The Bishop cited research indicating that approximately 74% of students in West Nile drop out of school,
leaving only a small proportion progressing to university. He highlighted the need to address the underlying
challenges affecting school retention and academic performance in the West Nile sub-region.
He recalled that when Muni University officially opened, only one student from West Nile reportedly
gained admission on a government scholarship, and the student was from Moyo District, not Arua. He
observed that some local leaders were unhappy with the situation, but argued that the focus should
have been on understanding the academic performance of learners rather than simply questioning the
admission outcomes. He further noted that, during the university's most recent graduation, a significant
proportion of the graduates reportedly came from outside the Arua area.
The Bishop called for renewed efforts by parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to improve
children's access to quality education, strengthen academic performance and increase the number of learners
from West Nile who progress to higher education.
