Across parts of West Nile region in Uganda, school enrollment especially for girls has remained stubbornly low due to a mix of economic pressures, long distances to school, cultural norms, early marriage and pregnancy, and limited awareness among parents about the long-term benefits of education. Many families prioritize immediate household needs or seasonal work over classroom time, and as a result, children attend irregularly or drop out before completing key transition grades.   

In a bid to improve school enrollment and ensure children complete their education, Enabel, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, rolled out a community outreach  programme aimed at involving parents in their children’s education. The programme has yielded remarkable results, with schools in the region reporting significant increases in enrollment, particularly among girls.  

"After the community outreach, we managed to register 75 Senior One students in 2025, with 35 of them being girls. This is a significant improvement compared to the previous year 2024, where we only had 30 students enrolled,” Mrs. Susan Ocokoru Head Mistress at Okollo Seed Secondary School in Madi Okollo district noted. She further noted that the outreach programme not only raised awareness among parents but also emphasized the importance of education for all children, especially girls.  

Similarly, Mr. Adrama Martin Agondua, the headmaster of Offaka Senior Secondary School in Madi Okollo district, highlighted the impact of the  programme on his school.
 
"Ever since the community outreach, we were able to register 45 Senior One students in 2025, compared to just 12 in 2024. This is a testament to the effectiveness of engaging parents and the community in promoting education," he explained.  

The outreach  programme also directly impacted students like Zavia Asiku, a Senior One student at Offaka Senior Secondary School. "I was at Sacady Nursery and Primary School when Offaka Secondary School visited us and had a discussion with our parents. They informed us that school was affordable, and that’s how I ended up here," Zavia shared. His story mirrors that of many other students who have benefited from the  programme, which has broken barriers to education by addressing misconceptions and financial concerns.  

Angulima Collins Oyalijo, the Senior Inspector of Schools in the Madi-Okollo District, commended the efforts of Enabel and the European Union. "Their commitment to ensuring children, especially girls, stay in school and complete their education is commendable. This programme has not only increased enrollment but has also created a sense of responsibility among parents to prioritize their children’s education," he remarked.  

Mr. Achema Rasul, Deputy Head Teacher of Ramogi Seed Secondary School in Yumbe District, stated that many students wanted to opt out due to the new curriculum. However, with the school outreach  programme, they have been able to enroll 397 students in 2025, compared to 267 students in 2024 and 150 students in 2023.   

The community outreach  programme by Enabel has proven to be a game-changer in addressing low school enrollment rates. By engaging parents, raising awareness, and making education more accessible, the initiative is paving the way for a brighter future for children in the region. With continued support and collaboration, the  programme is set to leave a lasting impact on education in the region.  

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