At least eight schools in Luweero district are stuck with hundreds of iron sheets that were donated for renovation and completion of classroom blocks.
In October 2023 the Ministry of Luweero Triangle donated iron sheets to 19 Primary schools in Luweero district. According to the Ministry, the donation was in response to daily requests for support to complete stalled classroom blocks and renovation of others whose roofs were blown off by the rains.
But six months later, a survey by URN reporter indicates that at least eight schools are yet to put the donated iron sheets to use.
The affected schools include Luweero Boys Primary School which received 200 iron sheets, Kyanukuzi UMEA Primary School (130 iron sheets), Damascus Primary School (150 iron sheets), and Kabukunga Primary School which received 50 iron sheets.
Others are Zirobwe Church of Uganda Primary School which is stranded with 250 iron sheets, Wobulenzi UMEA Primary School, which received 200 iron sheets, Star Junior Academy, which received 180, Kalasa Mixed and Day Primary School which is also yet to utilize its share of 200 iron sheets.
The school headteachers and local leaders blame the delay in utilizing them on a lack of funds to buy other building materials as well as labour fees meant for roofing of the affected classroom blocks.
At Luweero Boys Primary School, 200 iron sheets are supposed to roof four classes but the school has failed to collect sh10m for the works.
Burton Bbumba the headteacher of Luweero Boys Primary School said that they have decided to call a parents’ meeting before the end of this week to request them to contribute towards the roofing of the classes.
Bbumba added that the four-classroom block was constructed over 50 years and they need to replace the old iron sheets but the school has no funds.
At Wobulenzi UMEA Primary School, the school resolved to collect sh20,000 from each parent but some dragged the headteacher to the District Education Department protesting the move before the campaign collapsed after they had mobilized only sh900,000.
The school is also planning for another meeting to plead with parents to contribute funds towards the roofing of the classroom blocks using the donated iron sheets.
“A parent told us to write back to the Ministry asking them to cover the expenses of roofing the classroom blocks rather than bothering them,” a teacher who preferred anonymity said.
At Zirobwe Church of Uganda and Kalasa Mixed and Day Primary School, the administrators said they were still hunting for funds from parents to roof the classroom blocks.
Noah Kijjambu the sub-county chairperson of Kikyusa sub-county said that it’s the same challenge facing Kyanukuzi UMEA and Damascus primary schools which are yet to roof the classroom blocks.
“Now as local leaders, we intend to attend parents’ meetings to persuade them to contribute funds towards roofing rather than waiting for the government to come to their rescue,’’ Kijjambu said.
Erastus Kibirango the Luweero District chairperson warned that the iron sheets could be stolen if the school takes too long to use them and this may also affect donations to others.
Kibirango condemned parents who have refused to contribute as per school requests and blamed this on President Museveni’s repeated directive that education should be completely free in UPE schools.
Kibirango said as the district, they have no money to come to the rescue of the affected schools and instead asked parents to make voluntary contributions for the benefit of their children who study there.
Robert Ssekitooleko, the Bamunanika County Member of Parliament blamed the Ministry of Luweero Triangle for donating iron sheets without consulting local leaders on the need and ability to utilize them.
“Why did they donate the iron sheets to schools that can’t utilize them yet I know many others where parents constructed classroom blocks but they never received them. Secondly are there any guidelines on when they should be utilised? Now what if they are stolen?” Ssekitooleko asked.
Ssekitooleko said that they are also tired of headteachers who run to them looking for support even on minor things like the roofing of classroom blocks because government discouraged them from charging fees from the parents who are beneficiaries.
The State Minister in Charge of Luweero Triangle Alice Kaboyo was unavailable to comment on the matter but the officers attached to her office based in Luweero town who preferred anonymity, confirmed that they are aware of the matter and they were working with schools to ensure the iron sheets are utilized.
*Source – URN*