'Jinja city teachers occupy condemned buildings'
Munobwa said the demand for houses remains high as only 10 teachers were living in the condemned quarters while the rest reside outside.
Lubaale dedicates and blesses candidates at Nakanyonyi Primary School in Jinja City’s Northern Division on Friday. (Credit: Jackie Nambogga)
________________ Munobwa briefs the bishop on the teachers’ accommodation challenges at Nakanyonyi Primary School in Jinja City’s Northern Division on Friday. (Credit: Jackie Nambogga)
A priest in Jinja city has revealed to the Busoga diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Prof. Grace Lubaale, how teachers have continued occupying houses at Nakanyonyi primary school despite condemnation by experts.
The Rev. David Munobwa, who is the chairperson of the school management committee (SMC) at the school located in Nakanyonyi-Bukwale village, Jinja city northern division, said physical planners raised a red flag 10 years back.
He said the ramshackled houses, which were built with mud and wattle before being plastered, were almost collapsing.
“Our teachers turned deaf ears despite several warnings by city authorities to vacate the premises, which pose threats to their lives,” Munobwa, the assistant vicar at St. James Church in Jinja City, said.
This was during a function at which Bishop Lubaale commissioned a staff block at the school on Friday (October 9). The self-contained two-roomed units were constructed by Jinja city council at a cost of sh200m.
Munobwa said the demand for houses remains high as only 10 teachers were living in the condemned quarters while the rest reside outside.
“This is the only school within our deanery, we want to appreciate government for the sh200m structures, but this is a drop in the ocean. We ask the bishop to lobby for more to enable the teachers concentrate at their work,” he said.
Whereas the occupants had initially complied with the request to vacate, the school headteacher, Nathan Wagabaza, said the staff returned after chocking on high rental fees and transport fares.
“Most of the teachers had adhered to the guidelines, but returned after finding it difficult to pay rent and transport,” he said.
Nathan Wagabaza, the head teacher of the school, speaks during the function, noting that the newly constructed staff units are the first to be built at the school in its 68-year history. (Credit: Jackie Nambogga)
According to Wagabaza, this was the first new house to be constructed since 1958 when the school was founded by the Church of Uganda.
The headteacher, who was posted at the school in 2020, narrated how he made several correspondents at the local level and to the permanent secretary at the ministry of education and sports seeking intervention without succeeding.
Atanansi Tulilaba, the inspector of schools in Jinja city, said Nakanyonyi primary school has 35 teachers. Wagabaza noted that his staff who are required to be at the school by 7:00am arrive between 7:40am and 8:00am, adding that they report much later whenever it rains.
On his part, Bishop Lubaale challenged the teachers who would be occupying the new quarters to ensure that they impact on learners.
In his homily, Lubaale appealed to the candidates not to underrate themselves even if they were studying from a remote school.
He implored them to avoid being afraid but remain strong, courageous and have self-confidence, assuring them that they were capable of 'germinating' academically from their school.
“These won’t be your initial exams because you have done them before. Don’t get worried and afraid, be sure you will make it,” proclaimed Lubaale, who was flanked by the school chaplain, Can. Mathias Katiko.
He warned the learners and their parents against using witchcraft in exams. He urged them to trust in God for divine intervention to give them knowledge, understanding and wisdom sufficient and necessary to succeed.
Also, Lubaale called for early preparations by tasking parents to provide all the requirements as well as clearing school fees.
Patrick Lukalu, the chairperson Parents-Teachers Association and an old boy of the school, said this was the first time the school was hosting a Bishop.
However, Lukalu regretted the usual poor turn up of men for school meetings and such events, saying this undermines their bonding with children.
During the Friday event, less than 10 men attended, prompting the Jinja city inspector of schools (Tulilaba) to urge men to stop thinking that it was the role of women alone to nurture children spiritually.