Holiday teaching ban sparks debate among parents, teachers

Kampala, Uganda | URN | A government ban on holiday teaching has drawn mixed reactions nationwide. Some parents welcome the break for children to rest and learn home skills, while others fear it will hurt academic progress, especially for exam candidates.

The ban targets a long-standing practice in which schools, mainly private, and individual teachers offered paid holiday lessons, often justified as necessary to cover the curriculum and prepare candidates for exams.

After the directive was announced, many schools that had scheduled holiday programmes quickly reversed course.

“We wish to inform you that contrary to the previous communication, there will be no holiday programme for S4 and S6,” a circular from one traditional school stated in part.

Others are finding ways around the order, moving classes online or underground. Richard Mukasa, a parent of a Senior One student, said his child’s school claims it is still covering the curriculum online.

“But the arrangement is hectic because parents must buy data and constantly monitor whether students are actually studying. I wish the government could crack down on those too,” he added.

Some parents openly commend the government. Rev. Elizabeth Kushaba, a mother of four from Nyakabirizi, said children had been missing out on chores such as washing utensils, cooking, grazing and milking cows, and urged that the ban be sustained.

Night Nagasha, a parent from Nyakyera, argued school knowledge alone isn’t enough in today’s economy, pointing to people who built wealth through skills learnt at home rather than formal education.

In Masaka City, parents fear the ban could undermine learners sitting final exams later this year. On Tuesday, the Resident Commissioner’s office and the City Education Department conducted an impromptu operation targeting schools still holding holiday classes.

RDC Ahamada Washaki ordered the arrest of four teachers at Universal Kindergarten and Primary School and Kimanya Islamic Primary School after they were found teaching both primary and secondary learners.

Sarah Nakanwagi, whose Primary Seven child was sent home, called the ban ill-conceived, saying the lessons had been agreed between teachers and parents. She had already paid 200,000 shillings before authorities disrupted the programme, and warned the ban could push parents toward riskier, informal coaching arrangements.

In Arua City, enforcement officers dispersed learners from two schools violating the ban. Ronald Drani, Senior Education Officer for Ayivu Division, said the city will revoke licences of offending schools and prosecute teachers and directors involved.

Jackline, whose Primary Seven daughter attends a private school in Arua, said holiday teaching keeps children away from idleness and temptation, especially for girls.

“For me it’s not about overburdening my child but helping her stay at school… but since the government has stopped it I have no choice,” she said.

Jesse Nimungu, a retired teacher, acknowledged the practice is condemned but said many teachers depend on it because their pay is meagre. Most private schools in Arua had already issued verbal notices for coaching before the ban aborted those plans.

Across Teso, many residents feel national directives hit upcountry areas harder while Kampala goes largely unaffected. Pauline Isia, a parent from Soroti City, urged tighter measures against those exploiting holidays for profit.

“Parents have been exploited a lot because we pay school fees, remedial fees, and coaching fees,” she said, adding that holidays should allow farming and moral upbringing.

Francis Adong, an activist from Kumi District, alleged double standards: “In Kampala, people will teach pupils indoors, even with the knowledge of the police, but no action will be taken.”

Molly Kamakune of Fort Portal City opposes holiday teaching, saying holidays should let children rest and bond with parents. She advised teachers who rely on it for income to instead pursue farming or small businesses.

Aliifa Ntebwamu of Kamwenge supports it, saying it helps teachers complete a syllabus often disrupted by co-curricular activities during term. He alleged some authorities enforce the ban selectively, letting paying schools continue.

In Mbale, some parents want the ban reconsidered. George Barasa argued that keeping children home exposes them to peer influence and makes monitoring difficult.

Leonard Wabwire said the directive has increased the burden on parents with limited time to supervise their children.

In Luwero District, opinions were also divided. Salim Zimula Sserunkuma, a parent at Nalongo Church of Uganda Primary School, supported the ban, saying pupils need time to rest and help at home.

Rosette Nagadya, a parent from Kamira Sub-county, disagreed, saying holiday teaching gives girls a safe, structured environment instead of leaving them idle and at risk of early sexual activity and teenage pregnancy.

Isaac Wampamba of Butuntumula Sub-county added that many parents feel they have little choice given the pressure to score high grades.

Holiday coaching has become deeply embedded in Uganda’s education system, driven by high-stakes exams, uneven teaching quality, and limited term time,  while many teachers see it as essential income.

The ban seeks to restore the school calendar’s integrity, curb commercialisation of education, and protect children’s right to rest. But enforcement has been uneven, fuelling accusations of double standards.

Schools with resources have simply moved lessons online, shifting the cost of data and supervision onto parents, while families who already paid for holiday programmes have lost money with little recourse.