Rwenzori School for the deaf in Kyenjojo district is at the verge of closure because of lack of funds.
The boarding school located in Kyarusozi Sub County has a population of 50 deaf children aged between 14 and 18 years.
In 2003, Kyenjojo District Local Government established the school to provide education for deaf children from Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kamwenge and Bundibugyo.
The water and electricity at the school was disconnected two months ago over an accumulated bill of shillings 4 million.
The structures in which the children study and sleep in are also in a dilapidated state.
Currently the children at the school eat one meal a day because of lack of funds to purchase food.
Maurice Bagonza, the headmaster of the school says that they have been relying on food supplies from neighboring schools, which have not closed for holidays.
He also says that since the beginning of this year, Kyenjojo district local government has given the school only 500,000 shillings.
Since its establishment, the school has been receiving 1.5 million shillings every year from the district.
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Bagonza also says that the poultry and piggery project which were a source of income for the school are no more, after unknown people stole the chicken and pigs.
He says that the school will close unless funds are secured.
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Grace Tuhaise, a teacher at the school says that the children are currently receiving food from good Samaritans of Kyarusozi trading centre.
Through a sign language teacher, Rebecca Ngonzi a student at the school hailing from Bundibugyo district says that if the school closes it will be unfortunate because she has been occupied by activities at the school, taught new things and made friends.
Gertrude Tibakanya, the District Education Officer Kyenjojo says that the school has not received this year's funds because the money was used for inspecting schools in the district.
Tibakanya also says that she has written to the districts in the Rwenzori region requesting for funding.
