Government to build 259 seed schools

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni has said that under the Inter-Government Fiscal Transfer (UgIFT) programme, government has a plan of constructing up to 259 schools in sub- counties without seed schools.

Speaking at the commissioning of Kigarama Seed School in Sheema District on Friday, the First Lady, noted that the construction will be handled in three phases: the first phase shall cover cover 117 schools; second phase 115 schools and 27 schools will be built in third phase.

Kigarama Seed School, commissioned on Friday March 11, is one of schools constructed in the first phase.

In her message read by the Government Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa, she said the ministry is aware that some sub-counties, divisions and town councils will not be covered due to resource constraints.

However, she said that government remains committed to implement it's policy of ensuring that there is a government secondary School in every sub-county.

She revealed that the ministry will undertake a mapping exercise to establish the gap of the administrative units which do not have a government secondary school per sub-county and make appropriate plans towards the achievement of the objective of the government.

"As we implement the UgIFT programme, the ministry has observed the challenge of lack of critical amenities such as electricity and water in some seed schools being constructed and this mostly in those located in hard-to- reach areas, " she said, requesting the ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development which coordinates the implementation of the programme to prioritise the provision of these critical services to the schools.

John Betungura, The Chief Administration Officer of the district said Shs 2.5 billion has been spent on the construction of Kigarama Seed School.

"This is a fully fledged school with teachers houses, library, administration and class room blocks, computer laboratory with 28 computers, multipurpose hall and a play ground.  Special thanks goes to government to having strategically positioned this school in this area, " Betungura said.

George Bafaki, the Head teacher of the school said there are 65 students in which 38 are girls and 27 are boys in senior one and two.