By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Masaka, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Masaka City authorities have issued condemnation orders for 160 schools, directing them not to resume operations next month. The Masaka City Education Officer, Stephen Kakeeto, issued a circular declaring these schools illegal and prohibiting them from opening for classes when the first term begins on February 5th.
The affected schools, comprising 117 nursery schools, 38 private primary schools, and 5 private secondary schools, were found to be operating illegally in both Kimanya-Kabonera and Nyendo Mukungwe city divisions. The proprietors of these schools have received warning notices preventing them from admitting students and reopening.
The circular cites the failure of the affected schools to meet the basic requirements and minimum standards set by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Lack of qualified teachers, standard classroom spaces, furniture, and basic sanitary facilities were identified as key deficiencies, exposing students to health risks.
Many of the condemned schools were found to be operating in makeshift wooden structures or within people’s homes, creating an unfavorable learning environment. Additionally, during inspection tours, it was discovered that some schools had hired primary seven and secondary school dropouts as teachers, compromising the quality of education.
Despite earlier warnings to rectify these issues, the administrators of the listed schools remained unresponsive, leading to the decision to prohibit their reopening. Kakeeto emphasized the importance of learner safety and the need to maintain educational standards.
The circular also includes a list of 119 private primary schools, 46 private secondary schools, and 79 nursery schools that have met the required education standards. Parents are advised to enroll their children in these approved schools to avoid potential educational setbacks.
Latifah Nansamba, the Secretary General of the Association of Private Schools Proprietors in Masaka, expressed surprise at the list of condemned schools. She suggested that the affected directors should have been given sufficient time to address the identified gaps. Nansamba emphasized the need to assist these schools in gradually improving to meet the required standards instead of an immediate shutdown, considering their contribution to the country’s education sector.
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