NTUNGAMO — Learning at Kabasheshe Moslem Primary School in Rushenyi County, Ntungamo District, has been severely disrupted after a powerful windstorm ripped the roof off a three-classroom block, forcing some pupils to study under trees.
The damaged block, which houses Primary One, Primary Three and Primary Four classes, was struck over the weekend when strong winds swept through the area during what residents described as a sudden storm despite clear and sunny weather.
The winds tore off iron sheets, leaving classrooms exposed to the elements and scattering roofing materials around the school compound.
Broken timber and weakened roof supports were left hanging, raising fears about the safety of the remaining structure.
School authorities say the damaged classrooms are no longer safe for occupation, warning that the building could deteriorate further if subjected to additional heavy rain or strong winds.
The block, which was constructed many years ago through community efforts before the school was taken over by government, had already shown signs of ageing.
A visit to the school found pupils attending lessons under trees as teachers improvised to keep learning going despite the lack of classroom space. The damaged building stood nearby with large sections of its roof missing.
Teachers expressed concern that the arrangement is disrupting learning while exposing pupils to harsh weather conditions, including excessive heat, rain and the risk of injury from unstable parts of the damaged structure.
The school's headteacher, Apollo Amwine, said administrators have redistributed learners to the few available classrooms, but the remaining space is inadequate.
"We have distributed pupils in different classes, but the space is not enough because we lack sufficient structures. As of now, three classes have nowhere to study and are now outside under the trees. We request well-wishers to intervene," Amwine said.
He added that continued learning under such conditions is unsustainable, particularly as enrolment continues to grow.
The School Management Committee also appealed for urgent support to restore normal learning at the school.
Committee chairperson Mohammad Rwomushana said the storm had scattered learners across the school because of the shortage of usable classrooms.
"We experienced a storm and students are now scattered all over the school. We appeal to government officials and well-wishers to come together so that we can construct a new structure where pupils can learn safely," he said.
Local leaders echoed the call for immediate intervention, saying the storm had worsened an already poor infrastructure situation.
Shakur Musingwire, the district councillor representing Kayonza Sub-county in Rushenyi County, said the school urgently requires support to restore a safe learning environment.
"The school was affected by wind. Pupils have nowhere to study from, and even the walls of the structure are already dilapidated. As a leader, I call upon district authorities to come to the rescue of this school," he said.
Kabasheshe Moslem Primary School, located in Rushenyi Sub-county, was established in 1979 as a private institution before being taken over by the government in 1989.
It is now a government-aided primary school with an enrolment of about 210 pupils.
Despite its long history, the school has continued to face infrastructure challenges, which have been significantly worsened by the recent storm.
With only a limited number of classrooms still usable, teachers are struggling to maintain normal learning as pupils attend lessons in open spaces.
School leaders and local authorities are now appealing to the government, district officials and development partners to urgently reconstruct the damaged classroom block and restore safe and conducive learning conditions for the pupils.
