Govt directs district leaders on dilapidated schools
Students study from one of the dilapidated structures at Kibuku SS on September 18, 2023. PHOTO/MUDANGHA KOLYANGHA.
What you need to know:
- According to the circular, local leaders have been tasked with creating a comprehensive list of these dilapidated primary schools, including the school’s name, location, year of establishment, number of pupils, and photographic evidence.
Chief administrative officers (CAOs) across the country have received instructions to compile a list of dilapidated primary schools within their respective districts for consideration in the next financial year.
The October 5 circular addressed to CAOs and District Local Governments from the chairperson of the Local Government Finance Commission, Mr Isaac Musumba, highlights the issue of several schools still being housed in temporary and hazardous structures, posing a threat to learners.
Pupils ease themselves in pit-latrines at a school in Uganda. Most government schools have such facilities in a sorry state. PHOTO/FILE
According to the circular, local leaders have been tasked with creating a comprehensive list of these dilapidated primary schools, including the school’s name, location, year of establishment, number of pupils, and photographic evidence.
“We are concerned that there are schools still operating in temporary and dangerous structures. The Commission intends to raise this issue with the President, in accordance with Article 194(4)(a) of the Constitution. Please ensure that the lists reach us by November 4,” Mr Musumba said.
Unsettled. Classes being conducted in makeshift shelter at St Jude Nursery and Primary School in Mbale Village, Kyenjojo District. PHOTO BY ALINAITWE TIBENDA
The directive comes at a time numerous school administrations across the country are raising alarm about the deteriorating state of their structures. One such case was reported in St Charles Lwanga Primary School in Kalungu District, where school administrators stated that lessons are often cancelled when it rains because the chalkboard becomes unusable and classrooms are on the brink of collapsing.
The most affected institutions are primary schools under the control of local governments, with many of them facing budget shortfalls for constructing suitable schools in their regions.
Pupils inside a classroom at Kyeihara Integrated Primary School in Sheema District on January 12, 2022. PHOTO | FELIX/AINEBYOONA
Mr Musumba explained in an interview with the Monitor that the budgeting process for the 2024/2025 financial year has begun, and they require evidence to demonstrate the current situation to legislators.
When contacted, the District Education Officer of Isingiro District, Mr Godfrey Nkuba, mentioned that they have instructed their district inspectors to compile a list of schools in appalling conditions for submission to the Commission in the coming weeks.
Efforts to reach the Ministry of Education’s spokesperson, Dr Denis Mugimba, for comments were unsuccessful by press time. However, in April of this year, the Ministry of Education released Shs82.9 billion for the renovation of schools under the universal primary education (UPE) programme in 176 local governments, excluding Kampala Capital City.
At that time, Dr Mugimba said local government leaders were expected to identify the most dilapidated schools and prioritise them for renovation.
