Some of the teachers in Kamwenge District are defending holiday teaching despite the Ministry of Education and Sports’ crackdown on the practice.
Speaking to Voice of Kamwenge, the teachers said the official school calendar does not provide enough time to complete the syllabus while also accommodating co-curricular activities.
Aliifa Ntebwamu, head teacher of Mirambi K Primary School, and Jovitah Patience, deputy head teacher of Kamwenge Primary School, said holiday lessons help teachers cover portions of the syllabus that remain unfinished during the school term.
The teachers have urged the government to consider reducing the volume of the syllabus if holiday teaching is to be completely banned.
Meanwhile, private school administrators say some schools also conduct holiday lessons to prepare learners for academic competitions.
The debate comes amid the government’s efforts to enforce the ban on holiday teaching and allow learners adequate time to rest during school breaks.