Ngoma SSS closed over student strike

Nakaseke district authorities have temporarily closed Ngoma SSS in North Nakaseke constituency, following a destructive Monday strike in which the students destroyed school property and beat up staff members.

The District Education Officer, Steven Batanudde said on Tuesday that the students, who were sent home on Monday, will be asked to pay for all the damaged property when the school re-opens at a date to be announced.

Batanudde said the strike which left the school furniture and buildings damaged, started with students beating up the school watchman whom they accused of "being too strict".

Batanudde said the school administration responded by summoning the culprits, a move that sparked off a riot by the rest of the students who started throwing stones, breaking furniture and attacking teachers.

He said that amidst the chaos, the school administration called in Police who dispersed the rioting students and restored calm at the school.

This was followed by a two hour management meeting during which it was decided to temporarily close the school.

Nakaseke LC5 chairman, Ignatius Koomu, condemned the strike saying that it was going to be costly to the parents who will have to foot the costs of the damage.

A student who talked on condition of anonymity said the school watchman was "too harsh" to the students.

The strike which took the district leaders by surprise is the third to take place in the 10-yr-old district which was curved out of Luweero in 2005.

Other schools in the district which have previously had strikes include Kaloke SSS and Nakaseke International College.