Learners at Tororo's Kirewa Secondary School study in tents due to classroom shortage
Kirewa Secondary School in Tororo District is grappling with severe infrastructural challenges, forcing hundreds of students to study in makeshift tents due to a shortage of classrooms.
The situation has led to growing concerns among parents, school management, and the local community, all calling for urgent government intervention.
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Charles Omall, Chairman of the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), revealed that parents had purchased three large tents to serve as temporary classrooms for Senior 2, 3, and 4 students.
However, these tents are proving to be an inadequate solution.
"When it rains, we are sent home for safety," explained Augustine Owori and Jadida Nalukenge, Senior Four students.
"This has been happening for years, and it greatly affects our education."
The school’s headteacher, Henry Onder, expressed concerns about the sustainability of this temporary measure, citing the growing student population.
"While parents have been supportive, the tents are no longer enough to accommodate the increasing number of learners. We are appealing to the government for a permanent solution to this infrastructural gap," Onder said.
Kirewa Secondary School, which has over 1,000 students, is not only struggling with classroom shortages but also lacks basic laboratory equipment, hindering practical lessons and affecting overall academic performance.
The crisis has drawn attention from local well-wishers. Richard Owere Machika, director of the Machika Foundation, recently donated examination materials to Senior Four candidates.
During the event, Machika condemned the lack of political leadership for the worsening conditions at the school.
"We need accountability from our leaders. The mess at Kirewa is a clear indication that something needs to change at the political level in this constituency," Machika emphasized.
Kirewa Secondary School’s plight highlights the broader challenges facing Uganda’s education sector, particularly in rural areas.
Parents, students, and school administrators are anxiously awaiting a response from the government, hoping that their appeal will lead to lasting improvements in the learning environment.
