NTUNGAMO, UGANDA – Stakeholders and old students of Kaceerere Primary School have raised concerns over low staffing levels and inadequate infrastructure, which they say are undermining the school’s academic performance.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The chairperson of the School Management Committee, Elder Francis Garuga, voiced these concerns during a retreat meeting held at the home of old student Mr. Milton Ndebesa in Kagarama cell.
The meeting brought together school staff, the headteacher, and alumni. In his remarks, Elder Garuga identified understaffing and poor infrastructure as the main challenges hindering academic progress at the school.
He noted that the school continues to operate using temporary timber structures, which force pupils and teachers to flee to permanent buildings for safety whenever it rains, disrupting lessons.
“Whenever there is a downpour, lessons are disrupted because pupils and teachers have to vacate the temporary classrooms and seek shelter in the few permanent structures for their safety,” Garuga said.
He also pointed out that the school lacks a headteacher’s office, a situation he described as a reflection of poor management and a hindrance to teachers effectively carrying out their duties.
Garuga appealed to the government for support, noting that although the school started as a community initiative, it was later taken over by the government and now requires urgent intervention.
The headteacher, Mrs. Rovence Bashekana, told our reporter that the school’s challenges go beyond infrastructure.
She highlighted the negative influence of nearby markets, such as Kaceerere, which lure pupils away from class.
She revealed that absenteeism is particularly high among boys, who frequently skip school to go to the markets in search of money.
“Boys are absent at a much higher rate than girls,” she noted.
Mrs. Bashekana appealed to parents to take greater responsibility and monitor their children, especially on market days, when absenteeism tends to spike.
She attributed poor academic performance partly to laxity and negligence on the part of some parents and guardians.
In a positive development, Mr. Milton Ndebesa, an alumnus of the school, has demonstrated strong commitment to his alma mater.
He recently organized a fundraising event that brought together friends and officials from Ntungamo District to raise funds for the construction of a permanent three-classroom block.
Construction has now reached the wall-plate level and is awaiting roofing and plastering, marking a major infrastructural milestone for the school community.
During the retreat held at his home, Mr. Ndebesa pledged that he is in discussions with Ntungamo District officials to ensure the building is completed and put into use as soon as possible to ease congestion in classrooms.He also donated seven medium-sized desks to support pupils during lessons.
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