Schools across the Karamoja sub-region continue to grapple with severe shortages of classroom furniture and essential learning materials, forcing pupils to study in difficult and uncomfortable conditions.
At Pajar Primary School in Kaabong District, both learners and teachers face daily struggles due to the lack of basic resources, severely hampering effective teaching and learning.
“More than half of the pupils at the school are forced to sit on the floor during lessons,” said Moses Musobo, a teacher at the school. “This has become the norm because we simply don’t have enough desks or chairs for all the children.”
The shortage affects teachers as well.
“We have no proper seating,” Musobo added. “I often find myself sitting on the floor to mark books or prepare lessons for the next day.”
Kizito Okello, the headteacher of Pajar Primary School, described the lack of furniture as a major barrier to effective learning.
“The shortage of desks and proper classrooms has greatly affected our students’ ability to concentrate and learn,” he said. “This is a problem that requires urgent attention.”
According to Okello, the inadequate infrastructure has led to declining student performance, as many struggle to stay focused during lessons.
“When children are sitting on the floor, it’s hard for them to engage fully in class. It affects participation and their overall learning experience,” he explained.
The headteacher appealed to the government and development partners to urgently intervene and improve the school’s learning environment.
“We need desks, proper classrooms, and a conducive learning environment for our students,” Okello said.
Despite the harsh conditions, teachers at Pajar Primary School remain dedicated to their work.
“We are doing our best under these circumstances, but we need support to make learning better for these children,” Musobo emphasized.
The situation at Pajar Primary School reflects the broader education challenges across Karamoja, where many schools operate with limited resources and inadequate infrastructure.
Local leaders and parents have called for increased investment in education, saying that improving school conditions is critical for securing a better future for the region’s children.