Don't Ban Holiday Teaching, Fix Uganda's Education System First

As a parent, I strongly oppose the Ministry of Education and Sports' directive against holiday teaching, and I make no apology for saying so. Parents are the primary stakeholders in our children's education, and many of us do not merely tolerate holiday classes. We actively request them.

The Ministry recently directed schools to stop conducting holiday lessons, warning that those who violate the policy could face sanctions. The directive is intended to ensure compliance with the school calendar and to give learners time to rest during the holidays. Many parents, however, believe the move ignores the realities facing Uganda's education system.

We pay for these classes by choice

Let that sink in. We pay for it. Parents willingly enrol their children and dig into their own pockets to fund extra instruction during the holidays. No one is forcing our children into classrooms.

We are making a conscious, informed choice because we understand what is at stake for our children's futures.

Uganda's curriculum is demanding, and the reality on the ground is that the regular school term is simply not enough. Children, especially those in rural and under-resourced communities, return home at the end of every term with learning gaps that cannot wait until the next term to be filled. Holiday teaching does what the system alone cannot.

Where is the Ministry during the term?

And that brings me to the harder question: where is the Ministry during the school term? If quality education were being fully delivered within the school calendar, parents would not feel compelled to seek alternatives.

Before issuing warnings to schools and families, the Ministry would do better to fix the broken infrastructure, address the shortage of teachers, and ensure every classroom has the materials learners need.

Idle holidays carry real dangers

Beyond academics, there is also a safety argument that cannot be ignored. Long holidays leave many children idle and exposed to early pregnancies, child labour, drug abuse, and the many dangers that come with unsupervised time.

A child engaged in structured learning is more likely to be protected and productive. The Ministry should be encouraging such opportunities, not fighting them.

Fix the system first

Holiday teaching is not the problem. It is a response to the shortcomings of our education system. Until those shortcomings are addressed, parents should not be denied the freedom to make decisions they believe are in the best interests of their children.