Mubende Parents Decry Poor Performance at Kirumbi P/S as 29 Out of 31 Pupils Repeat P7

Parents at Kirumbi Primary School in Mubende District are raising concerns over the deteriorating quality of education at the school, citing poor performance and lack of intervention from authorities.

The situation has worsened after last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), where out of 31 candidates, only two passed in the third grade.

Many parents attribute the failure to teacher absenteeism and lack of commitment, with some accusing teachers of prioritizing personal businesses over their responsibilities.

Muhuye Twaha, a parent of one of the 2024 candidates, alleged that some female teachers were involved in personal conflicts that affected their teaching.

“I heard that my daughter got involved in a relationship with a boy in the area, but there was also a teacher who was interested in the same boy. When she found out, she refused to go back to class, saying she couldn’t teach her ‘co-wife,’” Twaha claimed.

He further recounted how the same teacher mistreated his daughter. “Every time she took her books for marking, the teacher would throw them away.

This affected her academic performance, and she ended up with poor grades.”

Twaha added that when the matter was reported to the school management committee, he felt the resolution was biased in favor of the teacher.

“The committee made it seem like my daughter was at fault. They should have given equal punishment to both,” he remarked.

The school currently has only six teachers for more than 400 pupils, a number parents say is inadequate.

Acting headteacher Twaha Lwamiti admitted that the shortage of teachers is a major issue.

“The school has very few teachers, and this is affecting learning. By the second week of term one, pupils had not yet seen any teachers in class,” Lwamiti noted.

Some parents also criticized the government’s free primary education policy, saying it limits schools from collecting contributions for essential services.

“When the school management committee suggests that parents contribute something to improve services, some parents rush to report that the government said no fees should be paid. Yet, without these contributions, the school lacks the necessary resources,” a concerned parent explained.

Mubende District Education Officer (DEO) Asaph Kabunga acknowledged the staffing challenges and said the district had already deployed new teachers to replace those who had been transferred.

“We have sent teachers with their transfer letters to report to Kirumbi Primary School. Those who delay will face disciplinary action,” Kabunga warned.

On allegations of teachers and students being entangled in romantic disputes, Kabunga downplayed the claims, saying such incidents should not overshadow the real challenges affecting education.

“These things happen, especially when young people are dealing with adults. However, they shouldn’t be publicized as if they are the main problem in schools,” he stated.

Kirumbi Primary School has reportedly gone decades without producing first-grade students. With 29 out of 31 candidates repeating P7, parents are demanding urgent interventions from the government and district authorities to restore academic standards.

“We need action, not just promises. If nothing changes, our children will continue to suffer,” one parent lamented.