Pupils of Tonya primary school in Buseruka sub-county, Hoima district have relocated to the nearby Tonya Church of God as a result of flooding that has submerged their school premises.
The floods were triggered by the rising water levels in Lake Albert. Apparently, one has to part with Shs 3,000 to use a boat to cross from the submerged school to the temporary school premises. Moses Kyaligonza, the headteacher of Tonya primary school, says the floods are a big challenge for both teachers and pupils since they cannot access the school on foot.
Kyaligonza says they are currently operating in the nearby Tonya church, which is also on the verge of collapse. He says although district education authorities have been notified, they are yet to respond.
Kyaligonza says the authorities promised to avail the school with two tents and mobile toilets but nothing has been done since last week yet the church where they are currently operating from isn't sufficient to accommodate the 38 candidates.
URN visited the temporary school premises today Tuesday and discovered that there is no single toilet for the teachers and pupils to use. Kyaligonza notes that unless something is done to address the situation, there is likely to be an outbreak of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
"We can't access the old premises due to floods because the whole place is full of water. Now we're at the new premises and we're operating from the church. At the church, we don't have any accommodation for teachers but the district promised to give us some tents and some mobile toilets which can be used by pupils and teachers. We're waiting for them, the pupils are not sleeping here, they are coming from home - that means they are commuting daily," Kyaligonza said.
Kyaligonza says they are currently operating in the nearby Tonya church, which is also on the verge of collapse. He says although district education authorities have been notified, they are yet to respond.
Kyaligonza says the authorities promised to avail the school with two tents and mobile toilets but nothing has been done since last week yet the church where they are currently operating from isn't sufficient to accommodate the 38 candidates.
URN visited the temporary school premises today Tuesday and discovered that there is no single toilet for the teachers and pupils to use. Kyaligonza notes that unless something is done to address the situation, there is likely to be an outbreak of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
"We can't access the old premises due to floods because the whole place is full of water. Now we're at the new premises and we're operating from the church. At the church, we don't have any accommodation for teachers but the district promised to give us some tents and some mobile toilets which can be used by pupils and teachers. We're waiting for them, the pupils are not sleeping here, they are coming from home - that means they are commuting daily," Kyaligonza said.
Charles Mwesige, the area LC 1 vice chairperson, says the situation at Tonya primary school and Tonya health centre III is appalling. He calls for the immediate intervention of the education and health ministries to address the situation.
William Bigirwa, a resident of Tonya A landing site says since June, more than 100 homes have been submerged by floods. He fears that most of the pupils in candidate classes could be forced to drop out of school since the only means of transport connecting to the school is by boat, which is also costly.
Rachael Kiiza, one of the parents at Tonya primary school, says she has spent about Shs 20,000 to transport her daughter to school since Thursday last week when the candidate's class resumed last week.
Godfrey Sserwanja, the Hoima district education officer, says he recently led a team of education officials to conduct an on-spot assessment at the school. He says plans are underway by the district to provide two big tents to be used by the students as classrooms.
The rising water levels of L.Albert have displaced thousands of people along the shores.
William Bigirwa, a resident of Tonya A landing site says since June, more than 100 homes have been submerged by floods. He fears that most of the pupils in candidate classes could be forced to drop out of school since the only means of transport connecting to the school is by boat, which is also costly.
Rachael Kiiza, one of the parents at Tonya primary school, says she has spent about Shs 20,000 to transport her daughter to school since Thursday last week when the candidate's class resumed last week.
Godfrey Sserwanja, the Hoima district education officer, says he recently led a team of education officials to conduct an on-spot assessment at the school. He says plans are underway by the district to provide two big tents to be used by the students as classrooms.
The rising water levels of L.Albert have displaced thousands of people along the shores.
Source
