Bat Valley school faces eviction
Sep 17, 2007
The Indian Community, Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal, wants Bat Valley Primary School to vacate their premises by November 1.
By Florence Nakaayi
The Indian Community, Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal, wants Bat Valley Primary School to vacate their premises by November 1.
The vice chairman of social services, Mukesh Shukla, said they wanted to renovate the premises and turn it into a secondary school next year.
“We are in the process of undertaking a major renovation from November 1, 2007 due to its dilapidated condition,†Shukla said in a letter to the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu.
“The building is a high risk zone for the children as recommended unfit for habitation,†Shukla’s letter of August 21 added.
“We are obliged if no further admissions are undertaken for the next term.â€
However, the school administration and parents’ representatives claim the Indian community could not claim ownership of the school since its lease expired in November last year.
“We appeal to Kampala City County not extend the lease so that the school become the council’s property,†the head teacher, Sarah Baziwe, pleaded.
The school has a population of 1,214 pupils.
During a meeting with Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago, Baziwe said parents had invested a lot of money in the development of the school therefore their interests had to be considered.
She said the parents contributed to the construction of toilets among others.
Baziwe suggested that KCC divides the school premises into two parts so that each party gets 2.5 acres.
The school lies on a five-acre land on plot 110 on William Street.
Lukwago was concerned on how city schools were being relocated.
The MP promised to work with KCC, Parliament and the ministries of land and education to ensure that the school is not relocated.
The Indian Community, Shree Sanatan Dharma Mandal, wants Bat Valley Primary School to vacate their premises by November 1.
The vice chairman of social services, Mukesh Shukla, said they wanted to renovate the premises and turn it into a secondary school next year.
“We are in the process of undertaking a major renovation from November 1, 2007 due to its dilapidated condition,†Shukla said in a letter to the acting town clerk, Ruth Kijjambu.
“The building is a high risk zone for the children as recommended unfit for habitation,†Shukla’s letter of August 21 added.
“We are obliged if no further admissions are undertaken for the next term.â€
However, the school administration and parents’ representatives claim the Indian community could not claim ownership of the school since its lease expired in November last year.
“We appeal to Kampala City County not extend the lease so that the school become the council’s property,†the head teacher, Sarah Baziwe, pleaded.
The school has a population of 1,214 pupils.
During a meeting with Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago, Baziwe said parents had invested a lot of money in the development of the school therefore their interests had to be considered.
She said the parents contributed to the construction of toilets among others.
Baziwe suggested that KCC divides the school premises into two parts so that each party gets 2.5 acres.
The school lies on a five-acre land on plot 110 on William Street.
Lukwago was concerned on how city schools were being relocated.
The MP promised to work with KCC, Parliament and the ministries of land and education to ensure that the school is not relocated.