The sorry staff housing and classroom structures are to blame for the poor educational outcomes in government schools in Kamuli district, the education authorities have revealed. Joseph Waibi, who is in charge of education in Kamuli District, says that most of the staff quarters are in bad shape and some have even fallen down.
He disclosed this while commissioning a classroom block worth 100 million shillings at Bulogo primary school donated by Platinum Credit Uganda Limited, a microfinance institution. Waibi says that there are 1900 teachers working in primary schools across the district, but most of them have to drive from far away because there aren’t enough staff houses.
He says that some of the classroom buildings are in bad shape and can’t be used for learning.
Angela Aliyinza, the head teacher of Bulogo primary school in Namwendwa sub-county, says that through a fundraising initiative by parents and well-wishers, they managed to construct a makeshift house for the primary one-class teacher and security guard. He explains that most classrooms at the school are dilapidated, and they are currently relying on well-wishers to give them a facelift.
Jonah Isabirye, a teacher at Nabuwigulu primary school, says that most teachers walk about 10 kilometres to their duty stations, which leaves them fatigued and affects their concentration in class. He says that most parents are choosing private schools where teachers come from the area and are closely watched to make sure that the students do better.
Waibi also decried the low staffing levels as one of the key challenges affecting learning in government-aided schools. He said that the district school inspectorate is made up of three inspectors who are in charge of keeping an eye on 800 schools, from kindergartens to high schools and other places of higher education.