By Alfred Opio
Pallisa, Uganda — Tension erupted at Ajepet Primary School in Gogonyo Sub-county, Pallisa District, after frustrated community members stormed the school premises and blocked the head teacher from accessing his office over what they described as persistent poor academic performance.
The unrest followed the release of this year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results, in which the school posted a dismal performance compared to other schools in the district.
Out of 30 candidates who sat the exams, only two attained Division Three, one scored Division Four, one Division X, while 26 candidates were placed in Division U.
The results sharply contrast with the overall district performance. According to Pallisa District education statistics, out of 6,246 candidates, 98 obtained Division One, 1,782 Division Two, 1,890 Division Three, 1,145 Division Four, 1,285 Division U, and 46 Division X.
Community members blamed the poor results on the leadership of the head teacher, Mr William Patrick Okida, who has served at the school for four years without registering a single Division One or Two candidate.
Led by Ajepet area LC II Chairperson Martin Arikosi, residents gathered at the school in protest, demanding immediate action from education authorities. Some reportedly carried stones and sticks, prompting security concerns.
Arikosi said the head teacher did not report to school after learning that an agitated crowd had assembled, noting that parents and residents were deeply frustrated by what they perceive as a continued decline in academic standards.
Several residents accused the school administration of laxity and inadequate supervision of teachers, calling for urgent intervention to restore performance.
The situation was later calmed by the Gogonyo Sub-county Gombolola Internal Security Officer (GISO), Harriet Amoding, who sensitized residents on the dangers and legal consequences of mob justice and urged them to pursue lawful channels to address their grievances.
Meanwhile, Pallisa District Education Officer Ronald Omutuju confirmed that the deputy head teacher, Mr Charles Richard Oduchu, has been appointed to take charge of the school as the district prepares to deploy a new head teacher.
Authorities noted that similar tensions have been reported in other parts of the district in the past, highlighting ongoing concerns about school management, accountability, and community-school relations.
Education officials have since called for calm and pledged to work with stakeholders to improve academic performance at the school.
