A week of many strikes

By Catherine Ntabadde A Wave of strikes that occurred in several schools during the last three months is back. A number of schools went on strike last week. A number of property was destroyed. Why are strike common in secondary schools? October 1: Kaluba Secondary School students in Mayuge stayed a strike and burnt the school buildings. They pelted their teachers with stones, broke into the headmaster’s office before setting it and the laboratory on fire. Students were protesting against non registration of S.4 candidates for the Uganda Certificate of Education Exams. October 1: Still in Mayuge, teachers of Bunya Secondary School went on a one day sit down strike over their missed August 2001, salary. They were allegedly forced to sign for their September salary instead of August. October 5: Kibinge High School students in Masaka turned violent, burnt some school buildings, destroyed school property and tried to lynch the headteacher. The cause of the strike was not established. Anti-riot police rushed to beef up security. October 6: In Sironko, Masaba Secondary School was closed after students destroyed school property worth sh20m. Students reportedly protested against prefects imposed on them by the school. 25 students are being held for questioning. October 8: Alliance High School, Mbarara went on strike protesting a story that was published by Orumuri a, New Vision sister paper. The paper alleged that the school had dismissed over 200 pregnant students. The students smashed windows, destroyed a company car. Police intervened to calm the situation. October 8: Students of Teso College Aloet, Soroti went on strike because the school administration stopped them from staging a disco with the neighbouring girls’ school, St. Mary’s Madera. The students destroyed school lights and ate all the chicken and oranges and beat up any teacher they came across. The school was closed. October 9: In Mbarara still, Kashaka Girls’ Secondary School in Kashari went on strike after they were denied an outing on Independence Day. The girls demanded for a special meal as an alternative to the outing. Some windows of the office block were damaged. October 9: Still in the west, Aisha Girls School went on strike. The cause has not yet been established. October 9: Hornby high School closed down after going on strike. October 10: Kabale Secondary School closed down after students went on strikes.