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St. Peters College Tororo is one of the traditional schools that existed decades before independence.
Constructed in the 1950s, it’s among the few schools in Tororo that have withstood the test of time in terms of academic performance, attracting a huge population of about 2000 learners from across the country.
Despite the huge population, the school has for the past years struggled with deteriorated and insufficient infrastructure since they have undergone no renovation for an extended period, leaving them as mere shadows of its past significance.
“The dilapidation of the school has negatively impacted on us. We experience the high cost of maintenance of these infrastructures yet we can’t abandon them. We’re really in dare need of support from the government” Luke Emuron, school headteacher says
Due to the dilapidated buildings and the wanting sanitation facilities, some blocks have been abandoned by school heads, causing accommodation challenges.
” Initially we were able to manage the population but with increment, it’s a big challenge. This has pushed us to turn some stores into dormitories though our worry is now next year” Emuron adds.
St. Peter’s College Tororo was mentioned by the president in his State of the Nation address as those earmarked for rehabilitation but to date, no progress.
In an attempt to address the current situation some of these schools are undergoing, the government recently pledged to give a facelift to the school but all in vain.
” We got excited with the news to the extent that we couldn’t wait to pass it out to parents. But now, we’re stuck to update them on the progress of the work” Luke Emuron, headteacher reveals
Elsewhere is Nabumali High School, once considered the giant of Bugisu. The school was equally mentioned by the president during his last state of the nation address to benefit from the renovation programme.
Margaret Nabude, the headteacher of Nabumali High School says, that after the president’s pronouncement, weeks later they went to the Ministry of Education for more information where they were told what to do. But since then, no response.
“So, we’re tasked to identify the technical person who is an engineer to come and do a clinical status report on dilapidated infrastructure. We got one who came and did it and later delivered a soft copy as well as a hard copy to the ministry. But since July last year 2023 to date, we’re still waiting for feedback from ministry”, Margaret Nabude, the headmistress of Nabumali High says
With the current population of 790 students, the school that came into existence in 1912 is equally challenged with inadequate space. Some of the staff houses have collapsed while some classroom blocks are leaking whenever it rains
“Staff House and some classes are still under asbestos roofs which is a health hazard. So, that tells you how badly we need to rehabilitate it” Margaret Nabude, Headmistress explains
So was the president’s pledge meant to come during this financial year or it is for another time?