Unfulfilled presidential pledges leave traditional schools in dilemma

St. Peters college Tororo is one of the traditional schools that existed decades before independence.

Constructed in 1950s, it's among the few schools in Tororo that have withstood the test of time in terms of academic performance, attracting huge population of about 2000 learners from across the country.

Despite the huge population, the school has for the past years struggled with deteriorated and insufficient infrastructures since they have undergone no renovation for an extended period of time, leaving them as mere shadows of its past significance.

"The dilapidation of the school has negatively impacted on us. We experience high cost of maintenance of these infrastructures yet we can't abandon them. We're really in dare need of support from government" Luke Emuron, school headteacher says.

Due to the dilapidated buildings and the wanting sanitation facilities, some blocks have been abandoned by school heads, causing accommodation challenges.

" Initially we were able to manage the population but with increment, its a big challenge. This has pushed us to turn some stores into dormitories though our worry is now next year," Emuron, adds

St. Peter's college Tororo was mentioned by the president in his state of the nation address as those earmarked for rehabilitation but todate, no progress.

In attempt to address the current situation some of these schools are undergoing, government recently pledged to give a facelift to the school but all in vain.

" We got excited with the news to the extend that we couldn't wait to pass it out to parents. But now, we're stuck to update them on the progress of the work."

Elsewhere is Nabumali high school was  once considered the giant of Bugisu.

The school was equally mentioned by the president during his last state of the nation address to benefit from the renovation programme.

Margaret Nabude, the headteacher Nabumali high School says, after the president' pronouncement, they went to the ministry of education for more information where they were told what to do, but since then, no response.

"So, we are tasked to identify a technical person who is an engineer to come and do a clinical status report on dilapidated infrastructure. We got one who came and did it and later delivered a soft copy as well as hard copy to  the ministry. But since July last year  to date, we are still waiting for feedback from ministry," Nabude says.

With the current population of 790 students, the school that came into existence in 1912 is equally challenged with inadequate space.

Some of the staff houses have collapsed while some classroom blocks are leaking whenever it rains

"Staff houses and some classes are still under asbestos roofs which is a health hazard. That tells you how badly we need to rehabilitate it, the headmistress says.