The government has undertaken significant infrastructure improvements in Buikwe District, commissioning new classroom blocks at three primary schools at a cost of Shs 324 million.
The schools Nkompe Primary School, St. Kalooli Luka R/C, and Makota Church of Uganda—have received newly constructed and renovated classroom blocks aimed at providing safer and more conducive learning environments for learners who previously studied in makeshift structures.
At Makota C/U, located in Najja Sub-county, two classroom blocks were renovated at a cost of Shs 48 million, replacing the previous practice of holding classes under tree shades.
The initiative has been welcomed by both residents and teachers, who noted that children had been studying in dilapidated conditions and, in some cases, risking their safety in crumbling buildings.
However, despite the improved infrastructure, school head teachers have raised concerns over the low turn-up of pupils in these government primary schools.
Joseph Nsubuga, head teacher at Nkompe C/U, pointed out that while the government is doing its part to improve school infrastructure, there is a persistent weakness among parents who fail to send their children to school.
He mentioned that many children remain at home to engage in fishing, sugarcane cutting, or charcoal burning, leading to empty classrooms.
Nsubuga also highlighted the staffing gap, revealing that he personally teaches from Primary Four to Primary Seven due to a shortage of teachers.
Similarly, Stephen George Angura, head teacher of St. Kalooli Luka R/C in Ngogwe Sub-county, appreciated the new classroom blocks but echoed concerns about understaffing, saying he only has five teachers for seven classes.
He appealed to the district to deploy more teachers to support effective learning.
The situation is further strained by logistical issues raised by parents. In Ngogwe Sub-county, some parents have requested the Ministry of Education and Sports to allow the construction of dormitories, citing the long and unsafe journeys their children must make to school, often trekking through forests and sugarcane fields.
When it rains, attendance drops even further.
Buikwe District Chairperson Jimmy Kanaabi called on the government to permit schools to collect a small, reasonable fee from parents to hire private teachers and improve teacher accommodation.
In a stern warning, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Rt. Major David Matovu announced that his office will launch an operation next term to arrest parents who keep their children out of school.
While handing over the buildings on behalf of the government, Diana Mutasingwa, Buikwe Woman MP and State Minister in the Office of the Vice President, urged residents to make full use of the improved facilities to educate their children. She also pledged to raise the issue of teacher shortages in Buikwe at the next Cabinet meeting.