LEARNER'S SPACES TO BE UPLIFTED IN MBALE DISTRICT

Social service committee, Mbale district his week carried out monitoring in several schools in proposal for rehabilitation in the next financial year 2024/25.

The education department has prioritized on improving the learning environment by improving on structures which have been mapped for rehabilitation across the entire district.

In the three constituencies of North, central and south, schools are highlighted in this monitoring program with the following objectives;

* To find out whether the learning environment is sufficient 

* Whether the classrooms are appropriate 

*Whether the spaces are enough 

* Whether hygiene and sanitation is upholding to date.

The monitoring exercise is meant to reflect on the school performances and challenges affecting them.

The team wishes to check on the current status and report back on findings.

The selected entities are where the key developments have been scheduled for in the next financial year 2024/25 under the leadership of Mbale District local government through the education department envelope.

For equitable representation, fourteen Sub counties and three Townships in  Bungokho North, Central and South have been earmarked for rehabilitation for the next financial year 2024/25.
Primary schools with inadequate classroom blocks lack spaces for appropriate learning which congestes pupils affecting other learners on time and provisional productivity per child.
The following were the primary schools monitored by a social service committee at the district level, this exercise lasted for three days running across the entire district.

1. Lwangoli Primary School -Busoba
2. Busiu Primary School - Busiu
3. Makunda Primary School - Bunabutye 
4. Musese Primary School - Bumasikye
5. Bumasikye Primary School - Bumasikye

Provisional population per school
✓Lwangoli P/S -1049 pupils
✓Busiu P/S -1586 pupils
✓Makunda P/S -897 pupils
✓Musese P/S -1002 pupils
✓Bumasikye P/S -856 pupils

Monitoring and findings per school

(i) Lwangoli primary school in busoba parish, busoba Subcounty headed by Ms. Masibo Annet is curtailed in this program under rehabilitation.
5 classroom blocks with low bending roof, linkage and old plan, constructed by parents and later completed by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.
The building needs total rehabilitation affecting over 600 pupils with each class accommodating over 100 pupils.

Other challenges
*Lack of teachers quarters
*Inadequate pit latrine stances for both girls and boys.
* Not fenced
*Lack of water storage for school use
* Lastly, the school is under staffed affecting learners.

(ii) Busiu Primary School in bufukhula ward, Busiu town council is headed by Mr. Bambi Moses with a total of 1586 pupils currently, the school has been earmarked for 2 classroom upgrade, this block houses primary seven at a tune of 145 pupils.
The block was built by parents to accommodate primary seven years back but recently, the building has cracks with linkages prompting it to be rehabilitated by the district education department envelope.

Challenges affecting Busiu Primary School
*The school lacks a library.
*Inadequate classrooms
*Inadequate pit latrine stances
*Teachers' quarters
*Water storage facilities
*Inadequate furniture
*School understaffed
However parents have managed to support the school by contributing funds to build urinal points for boys and girls.

Note: 25 teachers against 1586 pupils is not sufficient in terms of learners adaptiveness in class.

(iii) Makunda Primary School in Bunabutye Subcounty is headed  by Mr. Wandeka Herbat with a population size of 897, Makunda primary has a falling 3 class block that needs to be overhauled to suit the learning environment. The school management with parents have been able to raise a two unit staff house for teachers to be accommodated. This building is has been roofed but pending completion, now requests the district to give a hand and complete the remaining works.

Other challenges
*Inadequate classrooms
*13 teachers against 897 pupils (understaffed)
*Lack of water source for the school.
*Inadequate pit latrine stances
*Staff house needed since most teachers commute from far. It has been recorded that arrivals and departure by teachers affect learners since there is not accomodations at school.
Poor performance has been witnessed due to untimely and absetism of teachers.

However the school management appealed to the district for continuous support so as the learning environment is suitable and can enhance good results.

(iv) Musese Primary School in Bumasikye Subcounty is headed by Ms. Setuwa Lilian with a population of 1002 pupils. The school has tremendously improved in terms of performance, a 2 classroom block founded by parents needs to be rehabilitated since the structure has diminished looking very old to the current school environment.
The primary seven block has been budgeted for the next financial year
Deputy Headteacher appealed to the district leadership for fulfilling the earmarked projects but also working out on the following challenges,
*Inadequate classrooms affecting learners since they are congested.
*Under staffing which is not balanced with the population load.
*Pit latrine stances for girls wing has gotten full
*Staff quarters
* Lastly the school needs fencing.

Bumasikye primary school in Bumasikye Subcounty has a standing population of 856 pupils with few classrooms. Primary one, two and three, there classroom block needs rehabilitation.
This is planned for next financial year 2024/25 under the district education department envelope.
Challenges affecting the school
*Inadequate classrooms
*12 teachers against 856 pupils calls for more teachers.
* Need to complete the additional staff house which is on foundation level.
*Need for water source for the school.
Need for more pit latrine stances.

Amidst the above challenges, the school atmosphere is perfect for learners and performance.
Recommendations
1. The district should rehabilitate the marked structures in said schools above starting from next financial year. (2024/2025)

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