Pupils in 9 government aided schools in Kaliro district are struggling to attend lessons during this rainy season because of lack classrooms. The affected schools include Budehe and Nabitende church of Uganda primary school in Bumanya sub county, Buyodi and Igulamubiri primary school in Namugongo sub county, Namuntu, Nakaboko, Bugada and Kidembe primary school all in Gadumire Sub County and Kiwa-Nabuzi in Namwiwa Sub County.
Budehe primary school boasts of more than 379 pupils. But pupils in the school say that the attendance of pupils I dependent on the weather since they have not class rooms. Moses Nambago, a primary six pupil in the school says that he not attended any lessons since the opening of this term because each time it rains they are forced to stay home. Twaha Saire, Deputy Head teacher Budehe primary school says that those pupils attend lessons under makeshift shelters. He however says that days when it threatens to rain most pupils don’t show up at school.
Saire says that whenever it threatens to rain the teachers are forced to dismiss pupils back to their homes to avoid them being rained on. He says that the absence of classroom makes teachers to fail to complete their syllabus which has affected the academic standards in his school. Agnes Mutonyi, a primary one class teacher says that pupils in her class sit on the bare dusty ground because they have no seats.
She appeals to the district authorities to intervene and construct classrooms at her school and provide pupils with the required furniture. Swaga Kisira, a parent with two pupils at Budehe primary school says that whenever it rains pupils seek shelter in resident’s home. She wants government to intervene and address the problem of infrastructure at the school. Edward Kamaga, the Kaliro district Inspector of schools says that about 26 schools in the district lack permanent classrooms. He says that government has so far classroom blocks at 17 school since the Kalira was elevated to a district status in 2005.
Kamaga says that they would have closed the affected schools long ago but government has been promising to construct classroom blocks in the schools and pit latrines in vain. Peterson Basalirwa, Kaliro District Education Officer attributes the poor performance in the district to such poor conditions. He however, appeals to residents to remain calm as the district pressurizes government to intervene and put in place the necessary structures.
Wycliffe Ibanda, the Kaliro district LC V chairman says that situation is pathetic, adding that the district is financially constrained to intervene. Kaliro district only collects shillings 42 million in local revenue making it dependant on central government funding.
