Police take over Jinja College to avert strike

Jinja College students will write their end of term exams under police watch to prevent a possible strike by the learners who are opposed to school head teacher, Mr Mathias Isabirye.

The students accuse the management of failing to fix the school entertainment facility, Internet and phones yet they are charged expensively for the facilities.

Coupled with what they describe as the unprofessional conduct exhibited by some teaching staff and underhand methods  employed by the head teacher of the boys’ secondary school, the students threatened to resort to a violent strike.

On Wednesday, the students decided to expose the alleged ills being orchestrated by Mr Isabirye to  Jinja District leaders  and told them that if nothing is done about their concerns, there will be “consequences”.

The students told the team that comprised Residence District Commissioner, the education officer and the Jinja police leadership that Mr Isabirye needs “administrative help”.

In a meeting between the district officials and the students earlier in the day, it emerged that Mr Isabirye has planted spies among teachers and students whose job description is to report to him anything said, planned or thought about him.

 Those who were deemed to be critical of him would be reprimanded or dismissed.

The students also alleged that that the sanitation of the school is wanting yet they are charged exorbitant amount of money in fees.

In another closed meeting earlier in the afternoon, Jinja Resident District Commissioner, Rex Achila who chaired the meeting attended by the school administrators, teachers, security officers and officials from the Jinja District education department, agreed that the school premises be secured by police until the end of second term examinations.

 “Security will be guaranteed at the school campus full time until the exams are done,” Mr Achila said.

He also warned that students who demonstrate would be punished save for those who will in  in “a civilised way express their grievances”.

Mr Rex Achila who chaired the meeting between district officials and students said the grievances presented by the students are genuine and deserves immediate attention.

 “We will arrive at the permanent solution for these problems. This term is about to close but when you come back after holidays, you find this place is like a paradise—all these complains would be taken care of,” he said

The regional police commander of Kiira, Mr Geoffrey Maate said the heavy deployment of the police was meant to maintain security and safety of school properties.