Govt asked to buy Bat Valley School

Sep 26, 2007

THE parents of pupils studying in Bat Valley Primary School have asked the Government to cancel the extension of the school’s lease to the Asian Community.

By Florence Nakaayi

THE parents of pupils studying in Bat Valley Primary School have asked the Government to cancel the extension of the school’s lease to the Asian Community.

During a meeting with Kampala City Council (KCC) officials led by mayor Nasser Sebaggala on Tuesday, the parents said the school should become government property in order to avoid more inconveniences.

“We are tired of being foreigners in our own country. By the time Asians set up these buildings, we were poor, but now we have money. The Government should buy this property,” a parent said.

Michael Mboizi, a teacher, said the pupils’ academic performance was likely to be affected by the interruptions.

“Pupils are worried about the next move. They are always asking us whether their school is going to close,” Mboizi added.

Sebaggala, however, re-assured the parents that KCC would not let the school be relocated

He blamed his technical staff for extending the Asian Community’s lease without consulting his executive and the district council.

“In KCC, some things are done without our knowledge. On this matter, I found out that the technocrats conspired with the Asians to have their lease extended.”

Sebaggala said in a council meeting with President Yoweri Museveni last week, they raised the issue and asked the Government to buy the school. “The President agreed that the school had to remain in its current premises,” he said.

Parents also urged that the circumstances under which the lease was extended should be investigated.

“In April, the town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu, said the lease was not yet extended. How come her deputy, William Tumwine, said the lease was extended in November 2006,” queried Henry Katumba, a parent.

Last month, the Asian Community, Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal, told KCC that they wanted to take over the school by November 1, in order to turn it into a secondary school next year.

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