Concerns raised over deplorable conditions at Omukyongo primary school in Rukiga
Gloria Kamusiime, Youth Representative of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) in the Kigezi sub-region, has expressed serious concerns about the deplorable conditions at Omukyongo Annex Primary School, a government-aided school in Bucudura Parish, Kashambya Sub-county, Rukiga District.
During a recent visit to the school, Kamusiime and other PLU leaders found that the school operates under challenging conditions, including dilapidated temporary classrooms built by parents, an inadequate number of teachers compared to the student population, and a remote location that makes access difficult.
Keep Reading
"The state of the school is unacceptable; we cannot expect our children to learn in such conditions. We need to take action to ensure they have a conducive learning environment," Kamusiime stated.
The PLU team donated items, including food, bars of soap, and salt to all pupils and promised to provide full school uniforms and shoes. They also pledged to advocate for improved services from relevant government offices.
Retired Captain Damson Kivumba and the PLU team urged the community to elect wise, capable, and hardworking leaders who will prioritize service delivery, particularly in neglected areas.
"This school is in a sorry state. We need to elect leaders who will prioritize the needs of our communities, not just visit during election time," Kivumba said.
Bruno Turyasingura, the headteacher, appealed to the Ministry of Education to urgently address the school’s challenges, citing that only five teachers, two of whom are on the government payroll, are currently managing the school.
"We are doing our best with the resources we have, but we need more support. We thank the PLU team for their donation and pledge to continue advocating for our school," Turyasingura stated.
Parents, led by Johnson Bihangwa, who is also the village chairperson of Omukajajara village, blamed area leaders for neglecting their needs, only visiting during election time. They called on the government to consider their plight and ensure they benefit from national resources.
"Our leaders only remember us during elections. We need them to take our needs seriously and work to address the challenges we face," Bihangwa said.
