Hundreds of Learners in Tororo Studying in Tents
Hundreds of students at Kirewa Secondary School in Kirewa Sub-county, Tororo District, are enduring harsh learning conditions as a severe classroom shortage has forced them to attend classes in makeshift tents.
The inadequate facilities have sparked concern among parents, school management, and the local community, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
Charles Omall, Chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), revealed that concerned parents had pooled resources to purchase three large tents to serve as temporary classrooms for Senior 2, 3, and 4 students.
However, the temporary solution is proving insufficient and unsustainable.
“When it rains, we are sent home for safety,” explained Senior Four students Augustine Owori and Jadida Nalukenge. “This has been happening for years, and it greatly affects our education.”
The school's headteacher, Henry Onder, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the strain the growing student population has placed on the already inadequate resources. With over 1,000 students currently enrolled, the tents can no longer accommodate the numbers.
"While parents have been incredibly supportive, the tents are no longer enough. We urgently need a permanent solution to this infrastructural gap," Onder stated.
"The students deserve better, and we are appealing to the government to step in."
In addition to the classroom shortage, Kirewa Secondary School is also grappling with a lack of laboratory equipment, making it difficult for students to engage in practical science lessons.
This lack of resources is further affecting students' academic performance, particularly in subjects requiring hands-on learning.
The dire situation has not gone unnoticed. Richard Owere Machika, director of the Machika Foundation, recently donated examination materials to the school’s Senior Four candidates.
During the handover, Machika criticized the lack of political leadership and accountability for the poor state of the school’s infrastructure.
“We need accountability from our leaders,” Machika said.
“The mess at Kirewa is a clear indication that something needs to change at the political level in this constituency.”
The deteriorating conditions at Kirewa Secondary School have cast a spotlight on the broader challenges facing Uganda's education sector, particularly in rural areas.
Poor infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and limited learning materials are common problems that affect both student performance and morale.
Parents, students, and the school administration are now anxiously waiting for the government to respond to their appeals, hoping for lasting improvements in the learning environment.
For now, students continue to face an uncertain future, with their education disrupted by inadequate facilities and a lack of proper support.
The situation at Kirewa Secondary School serves as a reminder of the urgent need for investment in Uganda’s education infrastructure, especially in underserved regions like Tororo.
The community is hopeful that the government will take swift action to ensure that students can learn in a safe and conducive environment.