Damaged Latrines Put School’s Re-opening In Dilemma

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Authorities of Pogo primary school in Pukwany village, Gaya Parish Pabo sub county Amuru district are uncertain of the resumption of classes for candidate classes after strong winds blew off roofs of two latrines and a teacher`s staff house. The roofs of the buildings were blown off last month during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Simon Peter Onen, vice chairperson school management committee of the school, says they received 10 bags of cement, 40 pieces of iron sheet and nails from ‘Save the Children’ to reroof the teacher`s house.

According to Onen, they only have UGX 800,000 in their account to the work to execute the  re-roofing and renovation of the two latrines and the teachers’ house which was housing two classroom teachers.  But, he says, they need at least 5 million to renovate the latrines and teacher`s house which they are struggling to raise.

The school had an enrollment of 800 pupils with 25 in primary seven this year before schools were closed to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Silvester Odong, LCI chairperson of Pukwany village, says he is mobilizing parents whose children study at the school to contribute money so that the latrines are renovated and ready for resumption of classes especially for the candidate classes.

Odong says that upon inspections of the school, they found that the school doesn’t have any other latrine except that for the teachers.

But Onen says the school managers will seat to discuss how the school can resume.

Michael Lakony, Amuru district LCV chairperson says most schools in the district have challenges of renovation, with many classroom roofs having been blown off by strong winds.

According to Lakony, they are compiling the list of schools that are in sorry state to send to the ministry of education for financial support to have them renovated.

On Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni allowed the re-opening of schools with candidate classes, starting on the 15th of October this year as he eased lockdown on the country.