42.3% GIRLS IN SHEEMA DROP OUT OF SCHOOL DUE TO LACK OF SANITARY PADS — REPORT

By Micheal Atwakiire Bitunga

www.mknewslink.com

In Sheema—

Increased school dropout rate in Sheema district has been attributed to poor health conditions.

Apollo Kakonge the executive director of Western Ankore Civil society forum revealed this while issuing out the citizen report card which solicits user feedback on the quality and performance of public services at Sun Beach hotel in Kabwohe town Sheema district. The report is also meant to raise citizen’s awareness and ultimately bring about the reforms in the public service delivery system like primary health care, education and agricultural extension.

According to their report from a one year research in Sheema district, 42.3% drop out due to health issues like lacking pads especially girls, 17.9% due to school related issues like high fees and functional charges, 25.2% drop out due to home related issues like loss of parents, 14.6% due to personal attitude like being dull in class however 7.5% of the children between six and sixteen have never seen the colour of a blackboard.

Kakonge blamed parents for failing to fulfill their parental responsibilities like feeding, clothing and educating their children.

District Education Officer Sheema district Mr Esau said that in a bid to solve the high rate of school dropout in Sheema district, he agreed with head teachers and political leaders to start arresting and punishing those parents who pass out a minute in a meeting and after they act differently against it.

Medical Officer Sheema district Dr Odwee Ambrose said the reason as to why health services aren’t good enough in Sheema district is because of the sorry state the nurses and doctors especially those in villages face. He gave an example of Bigona health centre in Rugarama sub County where five workers including doctors sleep in one room.

In other related research findings in Sheema district are 58.2% finish primary level but only 21.8% continue to finish the secondary level and only 6.7% go to higher institutions however 12.4% have never stepped in school for a lesson.
On employment status, 18.5% are un employed, 4.1% have paying jobs and 77.4% are self employed after hunting for the jobs of their profession and fail.