{UAH} Luuka, Busoga : A school without desks, latrines

Allan,

I think visiting and fundraising for this school my be a better undertaking by Dr. Kizza Besigye than fundraising for Makerere University much as the university needs reopening. In comparison, it maybe easier to assist these kids than securing the billions needed at Makerere University. 

" LuukaThe school that was constructed in 1956, has no sitting facilities and the only two pit-latrines is filled up. But the more than 130 pupils continue to use them because they do not have any alternative.

..."We sat and agreed that at the beginning of the term, each pupil carries a brick from home on which to sit. The challenge is that they make them uncomfortable and the concentration reduces," says Clare Mukyala, one of the teachers at the school.

At the end of the day, the bricks are heaped in one of the corners of the classroom. Every morning when pupils enter the classroom, each picks a brick from the heap and places it in the same position where they always sit.

Eriabu Mukisa, 9, another Primary Three pupil says sitting on a brick makes him feel uncomfortable during lessons.

"I feel pain after sitting on the brick for about one hour; sometimes the buttocks get paralysed," he says.

Lack of desks is not the only problem. 

Luuka District Education Officer Moses Galandi says the education sector in the area, just like other parts of the country, is limping as a result of inadequate funds.

Money to the district
He says, on average government sends Shs250m every financial year to the district for the construction of classrooms, pit latrines and purchasing of desks.

Luuka has a total of 88 government-aided primary schools that are either in similar or worse state. 
"It means that every financial year we have to construct two-classroom blocks and two pit latrines."

Peter Simon