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Niweabigaba John Patrick, the Sheema District Chief Administrative Officer, described the school buildings as a "death trap for the pupils
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By Our Reporter
SHEEMA - Pupils at Nyakabirizi Parents Primary School in Kitagata Subcounty, Sheema District, are studying under dilapidated structures, posing a risk to their lives and contributing to school dropouts.
The government-aided school, established in 1998 by parents, attained government grant status in 2004. Both parents and the government have been supporting the school.
In 2023, Sheema District local government constructed a two-classroom block, currently accommodating Primary Six and Primary Seven students. However, over 180 pupils are studying in deteriorating structures.
These structures consist of worn-out iron sheets, mud, and wattle, supported by poles on the verge of collapse.
Akishanyu Merina, the headteacher, said the school has an enrollment of 284 learners, but 200 of them lack sufficient classrooms. She added that although parents had raised funds to construct a two-classroom block, it can no longer accommodate all the learners. She also revealed that the school lacks staff houses, pit latrines, and desks. "We only have two pit latrines. We don't have staff quarters to accommodate our teachers. They arrive at school late because they have to trek from long distances," she explained.
Mwebembezi Laban, a P5 class teacher, said that during the dry season, dust disrupts learning. "During the rainy season, the classrooms become muddy, making learning difficult. Learners' books get wet, and they sometimes remain standing until the rain stops," he said.
Boonabantu Mbabazi, the school’s PTA chairperson, said the poor state of the school structures has negatively impacted learning, forcing many pupils to drop out. "Our school used to perform well in PLE exams, but the performance has drastically declined due to the poor infrastructure. Crime rates have increased in our area because of idleness among the pupils who drop out," she said.
Alex Nuwagira, an alumnus of the school, expressed his willingness to work with the school administration to organize a fundraising drive to improve the school's standards.
Meanwhile, Niweabigaba John Patrick, the Sheema District Chief Administrative Officer, described the school buildings as a "death trap for the pupils."
"I have instructed the physical planner and the district engineer to assess the visible damage to the buildings and, if possible, condemn them and bring them down. We cannot allow such conditions to persist. It would be better for the learners to study in a tent," he said.
He added that the district has taken several steps to construct new classrooms and latrines to provide a safe and adequate learning environment for the pupils.
Torch Media Africa
