Nyabushabi Primary School in Kyanamira Sub County of Kabale District is urgently seeking assistance from the government after a strong wind blew off the roof of a 4-classroom block on March 21, 2024. The incident, displaced over 100 pupils from Primary 5 and 6.
Established in 1932 by the church, the school is grappling with deteriorating and substandard structures dating back to the 1970s. The recent winds exacerbated the vulnerability of these structures, causing damage to the classroom block and toppling trees surrounding the premises.
In response to the crisis, the school management relocated the affected classes to a block previously used as a chapel and main hall, despite part of it being recommended for closure due to its poor condition. The main hall was divided into two with an iron sheet partition to accommodate the displaced classrooms temporarily.
Head Teacher Alex Biryomumeisho confirmed that the winds damaged the roof of the Primary 5 and 6 classroom block, fortunately without causing harm to any students or teachers. However, he noted that the makeshift classrooms lack adequate insulation, affecting the learning environment as noise from adjacent classes disrupts lessons.
Biryomumeisho lamented the delay in government intervention, stating that despite visits from officials, there has been no concrete plan to address the damaged structures. He urged the government to prioritize the renovation or construction of new buildings, citing the widespread dilapidation across the school premises.
Amos Naturinda, the Lay Leader at Nyabushabi Church of Uganda and Chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), expressed gratitude that no injuries were reported but emphasized the urgent need for government support. He highlighted the age and poor condition of the existing structures, urging authorities to allocate funds for new construction.
Moses Bwengye, the Kabale District Education Officer, acknowledged awareness of the situation at Nyabushabi Primary School but cited a lack of emergency funds for immediate repairs. He explained that government funds are typically allocated for specific purposes, making it difficult to divert resources to unforeseen circumstances.
Bwengye also acknowledged the bureaucratic hurdles in accessing emergency funds, attributing delays to centralized processes across government sectors. He referenced a similar incident at Maziba Primary School in 2021, where government intervention took two years, underscoring the challenges in expediting assistance.
Nyabushabi Primary School currently enrolls 507 students, underscoring the urgency of addressing the infrastructure issues to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
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