Uganda, April 21 -- Lira City authorities have with immediate effect banned weekend teaching and holiday homework, citing growing concerns over mental health among learners.

The directive, announced Tuesday, follows a stakeholders' meeting at Lira Primary School attended by private school proprietors, head teachers from government schools, security officials and city education authorities.

Lira City Education Officer, Canon Jane Obeny, said the move was prompted by rising cases of mental distress among children, linked to excessive academic pressure.

"One thing which is very clear. of late we have had a statement coming from the head of psychiatry hospital, which was very clear that most of the people who are being affected mentally ar...