What the schools say about security
Sep 15, 2009
AS the recent city riots sunk Kampala into chaos, bringing business to a standstill and terrifying residents, schools were equally affected. <b>Frederick Womakuyu</b> brings you what the school authorities say about impact of the riots.
AS the recent city riots sunk Kampala into chaos, bringing business to a standstill and terrifying residents, schools were equally affected. Frederick Womakuyu brings you what the school authorities say about impact of the riots.
Clive Land College, Kireka
Michael Zikusoka, the head teacher, says despite being close to the Lubiri palace, the situation was calm. However, some parents collected their children, promising to bring them back when it was safe.
“We closed at 2:00pm to allow the students reach home early and safely,†Zikusoka explains. The school contacted Kireka Police to provide security and armed men were deployed at the school. “We are in contact with the parents and keep each other informed about the situation. We do not allow any visitors at the school to pick anyone.â€
St. Peters Primary School Nsambya
The head teacher, Francis Senabulya, says although the situation is calm and the school operating normally, about 10 parents have withdrawn their children from the school until order is restored in the city.
“We are operating normally and don’t have any guns to protect us, but we have unarmed guards patrolling just like in the past. Our children report to school at 8:00am and go back home at 5:00pm. At least there have been no reports of our children being stranded at school.†He says most of their children are picked by parents, while a few go home on their own.
Kalinabiri Primary School, Ntinda
The head teacher, Raphael Bwire, says no injury has been reported. “But we are not taking anything for granted. We made sure that our students went back home at 3:00pm so that they would get home early. We have deployed guards at the school to protect the pupils from any harm.â€
City High School
The head teacher, Claire Nduhura, says the school did not have any problems, except for four teachers who did not report for duty, citing insecurity. “Most students reported to school, but we later sent them home.†She says City High is safe because it is surrounded by several embassies. “Many students are collected by their parents.â€
City Parents School
Martin Isagara, the head teacher, says by the time the students reported to school, there were no riots. “But when the riots started, we rang parents and asked them to pick their children.â€
However, 18 pupils were stranded at the school because their parents had not answered their phones. “We negotiated with the NGO opposite our school and they accommodated the pupils,†Isagara says.
They asked parents who are policemen for security and they sent armed guards to the school and the NGO. Isagara says the school does not allow in visitors, even if the reason is genuine, unless it is the child’s parents.
“We have a form where parents fill their telephone numbers. We contact them in case there is an emergency,†Isagara says, adding that their long-term plan is to have boarding facilities to provide accommodation in case of emergency. “We want to buy a bus so that we can transport our children during emergencies.â€
Simeo Nsubuga, the chief security officer of Kyambogo University, says schools should have crime prevention clubs where students are sensitised on safety and hooliganism.
He says parents should contact the school in case of trouble or uncertainty. “The best way to protect a child during a riot is to leave him at school because people rarely attack schools. It is usually more dangerous outside the school,†he explains.
He says schools should ask community liaison officers to teach students crime prevention and safety.
“In most cases, students are used in strikes because they are organised. The liaison officer will teach them how to behave and also prevent chaos.â€
He says Kyambogo University uses mchaka mchaka (military training) to sensitise students.
“The problem with schools is that whenever we go there to sensitise students, they claim to be busy. The riots are an eye-opener for schools to engage the police in training students,†Nsubuga says.
Clive Land College, Kireka
Michael Zikusoka, the head teacher, says despite being close to the Lubiri palace, the situation was calm. However, some parents collected their children, promising to bring them back when it was safe.
“We closed at 2:00pm to allow the students reach home early and safely,†Zikusoka explains. The school contacted Kireka Police to provide security and armed men were deployed at the school. “We are in contact with the parents and keep each other informed about the situation. We do not allow any visitors at the school to pick anyone.â€
St. Peters Primary School Nsambya
The head teacher, Francis Senabulya, says although the situation is calm and the school operating normally, about 10 parents have withdrawn their children from the school until order is restored in the city.
“We are operating normally and don’t have any guns to protect us, but we have unarmed guards patrolling just like in the past. Our children report to school at 8:00am and go back home at 5:00pm. At least there have been no reports of our children being stranded at school.†He says most of their children are picked by parents, while a few go home on their own.
Kalinabiri Primary School, Ntinda
The head teacher, Raphael Bwire, says no injury has been reported. “But we are not taking anything for granted. We made sure that our students went back home at 3:00pm so that they would get home early. We have deployed guards at the school to protect the pupils from any harm.â€
City High School
The head teacher, Claire Nduhura, says the school did not have any problems, except for four teachers who did not report for duty, citing insecurity. “Most students reported to school, but we later sent them home.†She says City High is safe because it is surrounded by several embassies. “Many students are collected by their parents.â€
City Parents School
Martin Isagara, the head teacher, says by the time the students reported to school, there were no riots. “But when the riots started, we rang parents and asked them to pick their children.â€
However, 18 pupils were stranded at the school because their parents had not answered their phones. “We negotiated with the NGO opposite our school and they accommodated the pupils,†Isagara says.
They asked parents who are policemen for security and they sent armed guards to the school and the NGO. Isagara says the school does not allow in visitors, even if the reason is genuine, unless it is the child’s parents.
“We have a form where parents fill their telephone numbers. We contact them in case there is an emergency,†Isagara says, adding that their long-term plan is to have boarding facilities to provide accommodation in case of emergency. “We want to buy a bus so that we can transport our children during emergencies.â€
Simeo Nsubuga, the chief security officer of Kyambogo University, says schools should have crime prevention clubs where students are sensitised on safety and hooliganism.
He says parents should contact the school in case of trouble or uncertainty. “The best way to protect a child during a riot is to leave him at school because people rarely attack schools. It is usually more dangerous outside the school,†he explains.
He says schools should ask community liaison officers to teach students crime prevention and safety.
“In most cases, students are used in strikes because they are organised. The liaison officer will teach them how to behave and also prevent chaos.â€
He says Kyambogo University uses mchaka mchaka (military training) to sensitise students.
“The problem with schools is that whenever we go there to sensitise students, they claim to be busy. The riots are an eye-opener for schools to engage the police in training students,†Nsubuga says.