Over 2,000 schools face closure

By Sahmim Saad

OVER 2,000 schools to face closure according to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) education director Ann Galiwango.

She says over 2,000 private primary and secondary schools in the city are illegal and will not open for the first term unless they legalize their operations under city laws.

“The grace period we gave them has expired with the close of 2013. We have been lenient enough to the school owners,” she noted

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Galiwango further added that as KCCA they don’t intend to close down such schools because they want to create a harmonious and standard environment that favours students and teachers to interact for the best performances.

She said if schools have decided to ignore their warnings, it is high time they close them.

Galiwango advised parents to look out for schools only legalized by KCCA for operating so as to avoid inconveniences after the term has started.

KCCA has released a list of more than 1,200 schools that meet all the required standards.

Schools closed elsewhere

In July 2011, King James Comprehensive S.S. in Lira district was closed over poor sanitation and congestion in the dormitories. 

In May 2012, Kanungu district education department closed 39 privately owned primary schools in the district.

The schools were closed because they did not conform to the minimum standards required of them to operate as stipulated in the Education Act 2008 and about 1,400 students were sent home.

Seven other schools closed so far are in Rugyeyo, five in Kanyantorogo, four in Butogota town and three in Nyamirama sub-county.

The district education officer, God Willy Bakiga, said some of the schools do not have operational licences, while others do not have pit-latrines.

Most of the affected children have relocated to neighbouring schools but their number could not be readily established.

Some of the schools’ proprietors said the authorities closed their schools unfairly because they were not given enough time to put in place what was needed.

The proprietor of St. John Nyakatunguru Primary School in Kihiihi town, Gerald Agaba, said although his school had the necessary requirements, it was closed. 

He threatened to sue the district if the school is not opened.