Teachers and pupils at Mityana District Administration School (Mityana D.A.S), a government-aided institution in Mityana District, are grappling with severe challenges following a recent storm that destroyed key parts of the school’s infrastructure.
The heavy downpour, which hit the area last week, caused the collapse of one of the school’s main classroom blocks and several staff quarters. As a result, learning has been significantly disrupted, with many pupils now attending lessons under trees, while teachers commute from distant villages due to the lack of staff accommodation.
During a recent visit to the school, pupils were seen seated on the ground beneath tree shades, trying to follow lessons in the open. Teachers described the current situation as both frustrating and detrimental to the quality of education being offered.
“We find it difficult to reach school on time due to the long distances we now travel from rented accommodation, and the cost is becoming unbearable,” said Fatia Nakalawa , a teacher at Mityana D.A.S. “This has made it hard to start lessons promptly, and it affects our morale.”
Headteacher Esawo Kibuuka expressed serious concern about the safety and wellbeing of both learners and staff. “After the collapse of one classroom block, we were left with very limited learning space. The remaining buildings are also in a dilapidated state,” he said.
Local leaders have criticized the government for what they describe as continued neglect of the school’s needs. “This is a government school, but it has been left to the mercy of the community. We cannot expect quality education when both teachers and learners are working in such unsafe conditions,” said Mr. Kibuuka.
In the face of mounting challenges, parents have launched a fundraising campaign aimed at rebuilding one of the collapsed classroom blocks. Their efforts received a significant boost when Dr. Jackson Ssekikubo, a concerned community member, donated 100 iron sheets to kickstart the reconstruction process.
“We cannot sit back and watch our children study under trees,” said Mr. Richard Ssenyondo , Chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association. “As parents, we must do our part, even as we wait for government support.”
The crisis at Mityana D.A.S underscores broader infrastructural challenges facing Uganda’s education sector, particularly in rural areas.
Stakeholders are now calling on the Ministry of Education to prioritize urgent support for schools like Mityana D.A.S, where community efforts alone may not be enough to restore safe and dignified learning environments.