Government-aided primary school head teachers in Hoima district are crying foul over lack of staff accommodation and other infrastructure at the schools.
The head teachers say the problem is partly to blame for the rampant absenteeism of teachers and poor performance, as some teachers reside far away from their work stations while others struggle to secure decent accommodation near their schools.
Vanance Akugizibwe, the head teacher Kikonda primary school in Kabwoya Sub County says the over 80 year old school has no staff quarters and its offices and some of the classes are housed in condemned buildings.
At Kikonda primary school, a block that houses the P3 and P7 classes and the teachers’ office is dilapidated. Although it was condemned by the district engineer some years back, the head teacher says they are forced to use it as they have no alternative.
The head teacher says given the meager pay, teachers also find it hard to rent accommodation in the nearby trading centers.
Martin Katugume, the head teacher Kabwoya primary school says there isn’t any staff quarter at his school and the classroom blocks are not enough.
Katugume lives in Buraaru Kyabigambire Sub County about 50 kilometers away and without any staff quarters he and his other teachers are forced to rent near the school and yet the salary is not enough.
Katugume says although the school has mobilized parents and made 5000 bricks to construct teachers’ staff quarters; there is need for government to urgently come in.
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Joseph Lubega Kamanyire, the Hoima district Assistant Education Officer admits lack of accommodation for teachers is a major challenge to schools especially in hard to reach areas.
Hoima district has 135 government aided primary schools and according to Kamanyire, more than half of the schools lack staff quarters and standard infrastructure.
Tony Mukasa Lusambu, the Assistant Commissioner for primary education was in Hoima on Thursday to officiate at the handover of the over 4000 science text books donated by Tullow Oil to primary schools in Hoima and Buliisa districts.
In an interview shortly after the handover, Lusambu said the education ministry plans to increase funds sent to districts as School Facilitation Grant-SFG to enable districts build teachers houses and other school infrastructure.
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