Parents and pupils of the Busia Unique Nursery and Primary School have taken to the streets to voice their opposition against the school’s director’s decision to shut down the institution and convert its classrooms into a poultry unit. The move has left the future of around 200 students in uncertainty and put the jobs of over a dozen teachers and staff at risk.
Suleiman Muto, a concerned parent, revealed that on March 1, school director Muhammad Bashir barred pupils from entering the school premises for their lessons. Many children returned home disappointed, unable to access their classrooms.
Muto expressed his dismay, stating that he had heard from his children about the director’s intention to close the school and repurpose its facilities for poultry farming. This decision prompted the protest, as parents feared for their children’s education.
Highlighting the financial strain on parents, Muto explained that many had already paid school fees and other expenses for the start of the term. The sudden change in the school’s business model came as a shock and added burden to families already struggling to meet educational expenses.
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Patrick Omukaga, another parent, disclosed that the director had been pressuring parents to make prompt payments of all school fees at the beginning of the term. This insistence raised concerns among parents about the school’s stability.
Omukaga, who has four children enrolled at the school, found it challenging to meet the director’s demands for immediate payment of fees. The financial pressure from the school administration exacerbated the situation for many families.
Fatuma Kibekityo, another concerned parent, recounted how Bashir had previously dismissed all teachers and the headmaster, Omari Musana. This action prompted both staff and pupils to rally for their reinstatement and the school’s continued operation.
In response to the allegations, Bashir denied closing the school, citing concerns about financial accountability. He claimed that he had asked the headmaster to provide a clear account of the money collected from parents, as the school was facing significant losses.
The situation escalated to involve law enforcement, with police, the Busia deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), and municipal education department officials intervening. After a meeting with school stakeholders, Deputy RDC Grace Kanuna clarified that the school had not closed and that the issue stemmed from a misunderstanding between the director and the headmaster regarding financial matters.
Kanuna assured parents and pupils that teaching would resume promptly, following the resolution of the dispute. The intervention aimed to restore normalcy and ensure the continuity of education for the affected students.
