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Kasese schools hit by floods struggle to recover
Ministry of Education and Kasese District officials tour schools that were swept away my floods in Kilembe on July 9. PHOTO | FELIX BASIIME
What you need to know:
- Some of the affected schools include Kisabu Primary School in Kisabu Village, Kitholu Sub-county at the border with DR Congo, and Bikone Primary School in Kyanya Town Council.
A section of schools in Kasese District are struggling to recover amid the ongoing phased re-opening of schools, almost a year after they were washed away by floods.
Some of the affected schools include Kisabu Primary School in Kisabu Village, Kitholu Sub-county at the border with DR Congo, and Bikone Primary School in Kyanya Town Council.
Fearing the re-occurrence of the floods that swept through the two schools and destroyed several classrooms and property, they have since been relocated.
Built on the banks of River Taku, Kisabu Primary School was washed away by floods on May 21, 2020, following a downpour.
River Taku that separates Uganda and DR Congo flooded, triggering huge stones that rolled down and destroyed Primaries Three, Four, Six classrooms and an office block.
The floods happened when the pupils were at home at the height of Covid-19.
“The parents and school management advised that it was not safe for the pupils to remain in the old structures as they could collapse on them. We decided to look for a piece of land in the neighbourhood and we have since acquired it at Shs13m,” Mr Robert Muhindo, the head teacher, said yesterday.
Mr Anatosi Nyamambisi, the director of studies, said government has, however, not yet shown any signs of rebuilding the school.
Save the Children-Uganda, a non-governmental organisation, has constructed two semi-permanent classroom structures for the Primary Seven learners. They also provided 50 desks and two pit-latrines.
When Daily Monitor visited the school yesterday, it was being painted. Apparently, the 18 pupils in Primary Seven are studying from a temporary tent. The entire pupil population is 380.
When asked whether the school is ready to receive more pupils (semi-candidates) on March 1, following a directive by President Museveni, Mr Nyamambisi said the two semi-permanent structures would be ready for use.
Alfred Kipuru, 16, a Primary Seven candidate, said initially, he was afraid that he would not continue with studies since the nearest schools are about two kilometres away and yet the rocky terrain is another challenge they face.
“I am now happy that we have been able to resume our studies,” he said.
Ms Peninah Asiimwe Begumanya, the Communications and Media Coordinator at Save the Children-Uganda, said their core mandate is to ensure safety of the children.
The head teacher of Bikone Primary School, Ms Justine Musoki, said the school was washed away on May 7, 2020 after River Mubuku burst its shores following a downpour.
Five classrooms and the head teacher’s office were swept away. Save the Children-Uganda has also intervened with classrooms and latrines, which the pupils are already using.
“Shortly after the flush floods swept away the school, officials from the Ministry of Education visited, came up with construction designs but we have never seen them again, almost a year later,” Ms Musoki said yesterday.
Mr George Mayinja, the Kasese District Education Officer, said he is aware of the plight of the aforementioned two schools, adding that government would intervene.
“In the coming financial year, we are going to construct two classroom blocks in each of the affected schools and an office block. We shall also purchase desks for the learners since the ones they were using were washed away,” Mr Mayinja said.
Meanwhile, an assortment of consignment of goods, including 10 motorcycles, computer desktops and 11 tablets were on Tuesday donated to teachers in the districts of Kasese, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo by Save the Children to aid their professional development and ensure quality education.
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