Parents in Masaka district are concerned about the poor state of classrooms in many government schools. They argue that this endangers the lives of learners and compromises the quality of education in the area.
The affected schools include Kasaka, Kabanda and Kajuna primary schools located in Buwunga sub-county, St Luke Primary Bukakata, St John’s Church of Uganda Ssunga and Golooba Memorial Primary school that operates in Bukakata sub-county.
The classrooms have visible cracks running through their walls, their roofs are leaking and doors and window shutters are broken, which creates a pathetic teaching-learning environment.
Gerald Lubeezi, the Masaka district councillor for Bukakata sub county confirms that the schools are currently in very poor shape and need general overhaul if they are to continue accommodating learners.
According to Lubeezi, the poor condition of these schools is becoming an excuse for teachers’ inefficiency in performing their duties, hence affecting the pupils’ academic performance.
Phoebe Kalungi, the Vice Chairperson of the School Management Committee of St Johns Church of Uganda Primary School Makonzi, bemoans that they are currently stuck with dilapidated classrooms that are generally in a very poor shape.
According to Kalungi, some of the classes are conducted under makeshift shades, where lessons ate not possible during both rainy seasons and in moments times of scorching sun.
“We have been mobilizing the parents and communities to help in improving the learning environment in their school, but we only managed to secure improvised shelters from well-wishers. Government should now directly come in to rescue the situation,” she pleads.
Besides poor classrooms, Kalungi adds that the sanitation facilities including latrines and safe water are in a poor state, which exposes the learners and teachers to serious health risks.
Joseph Lutaaya, the Masaka District Schools Inspector acknowledges the deplorable conditions in the schools, saying they recently compiled a general schools situation report, which they accordingly submitted to the Ministry of Education and Sports for action.
He indicates that the district has now prioritized the construction of latrines on government schools as they continue appealing to the Ministry of Education for direct funds that can cater for the construction of appropriate classrooms.
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