Ntungamo schools to benefit from infrastructure projects

What the report says

Ntungamo District says it will implement 29 infrastructure projects in government primary schools this financial year, focusing on schools with damaged classrooms, poor sanitation and other basic facility gaps. The projects will be financed through government grants, including the Transitional Development Grant, the Education Development Grant, the Maintenance Grant and the School Facilities Grant, according to the district.

The Nile Post reported that the planned work includes repairs and construction at several schools across the district. Examples cited include a four-classroom block at Kamunyiga Primary School that was damaged by heavy rains, a deteriorating classroom at Rwengoma Primary School that officials say is unsafe for teaching, and mud-built classrooms at Kitembe I Primary School. At Mutanoga Primary School, lack of electricity and water also remains a concern. District officials said some schools have already been warned to move learners out of condemned structures.

Funding allocations mentioned in the report include Shs200 million for Nyakasa Primary School under the Transitional Development Grant, and Shs100 million each for Kabambo, Rwensiga, Kibeho, Kabumba and Iterero primary schools. Another Shs180 million under the Education Development Grant is expected to support classroom construction at Kahengye Primary School and a pit latrine at Ruhanga SDA Primary School.

Officials said the interventions are important but still far short of the district’s needs, given that Ntungamo has 242 government-aided primary schools. The district education officer said the current plans are only a small share of what is required, while authorities also urged parents to keep children in school amid concerns about absenteeism, child labor, dropouts and teenage pregnancy.