Schools under 24-hour watch
Aug 11, 2008
THE education ministry has launched a 24-hour surveillance of schools, minister Namirembe Bitamazire said yesterday.
By Francis Kagolo
THE education ministry has launched a 24-hour surveillance of schools, minister Namirembe Bitamazire said yesterday.
The move follows reports that some schools which the ministry banned from using triple-decker beds were now forcing pupils to share beds, she said.
“After banning triple-decker beds, some schools are trying to find ways of getting around it. We have reports that in some schools two pupils sleep in one bed,†she said.
Opening a one-day workshop on security in educational institutions at the Directorate of Education Standards in Kyambogo, Bitamazire warned head teachers against the practice.
Private schools found guilty would be de-licensed while government-aided schools would be penalised severely, she said.
“Schools should excuse us, we are going to start biting. If we have been barking, now we shall bite.â€
The ministry will add medical doctors, construction engineers, the Police and other security organs to its team of district inspectors, she further announced.
The education ministry has been under fire for failure to prevent a series of school fires, some of which were caused by electricity short circuits and negligence.
Bitamazire yesterday said the Government had released money to facilitate regular checking of schools across the country.
“The finance ministry has given us sh3.5b for the exercise. Of this, sh1b will remain at the headquarters and sh2.5b disbursed to the districts,†she explained to journalists.
“Regular inspection is soon starting. We shall cover more than 80% of the schools this financial year.â€
The workshop was organised to train a team of security personnel, including Internal Security officers and schools inspectors, who will in turn train school managers on how to avoid fires.
Bitamazire urged the Police to investigate all fire cases, conclude them, and take the culprits to court so as to deter potential arsonists.
To ensure security in schools, the Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, called for concerted efforts.
“Parents, the Government, security organs, teachers and student leaders need to partner if we are to ensure safety in schools,†she said.
A Police official, Norbert Opio, who heads team investigating the fire outbreaks, urged school managers to screen students, especially foreigners, before admitting them.
THE education ministry has launched a 24-hour surveillance of schools, minister Namirembe Bitamazire said yesterday.
The move follows reports that some schools which the ministry banned from using triple-decker beds were now forcing pupils to share beds, she said.
“After banning triple-decker beds, some schools are trying to find ways of getting around it. We have reports that in some schools two pupils sleep in one bed,†she said.
Opening a one-day workshop on security in educational institutions at the Directorate of Education Standards in Kyambogo, Bitamazire warned head teachers against the practice.
Private schools found guilty would be de-licensed while government-aided schools would be penalised severely, she said.
“Schools should excuse us, we are going to start biting. If we have been barking, now we shall bite.â€
The ministry will add medical doctors, construction engineers, the Police and other security organs to its team of district inspectors, she further announced.
The education ministry has been under fire for failure to prevent a series of school fires, some of which were caused by electricity short circuits and negligence.
Bitamazire yesterday said the Government had released money to facilitate regular checking of schools across the country.
“The finance ministry has given us sh3.5b for the exercise. Of this, sh1b will remain at the headquarters and sh2.5b disbursed to the districts,†she explained to journalists.
“Regular inspection is soon starting. We shall cover more than 80% of the schools this financial year.â€
The workshop was organised to train a team of security personnel, including Internal Security officers and schools inspectors, who will in turn train school managers on how to avoid fires.
Bitamazire urged the Police to investigate all fire cases, conclude them, and take the culprits to court so as to deter potential arsonists.
To ensure security in schools, the Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, called for concerted efforts.
“Parents, the Government, security organs, teachers and student leaders need to partner if we are to ensure safety in schools,†she said.
A Police official, Norbert Opio, who heads team investigating the fire outbreaks, urged school managers to screen students, especially foreigners, before admitting them.