Hoima schools struggle to reopen

REOPENING OF SCHOOLS 

HOIMA- Many schools in Hoima are facing financial troubles to procure the required equipment.

A visit to many schools on Wednesday (October 14, 2020) indicated that only government -aided schools were ready to reopen.

They said they were financially weak since they have not been operating for the last seven months.

David Balinda, the headteacher at Premier Secondary School, a private school, said he is not sure how they will feed candidates.

The school has 289 candidates in O'level and 80 in A'level.

"We depend on school fees. Most parents' incomes were affected by COVID-19 and we are not sure whether all the students will turn up," he added.

Balinda said on top of other necessities, they also have to pay the 33 teachers who will be on duty.

Isaac Munu, the headteacher of Central Primary School, which is also privately owned, said they have been forced to adjust their budget to include the COVID-19 pandemic requirements.

Munu, said his school closed with 55 pupils, adding that they need two classrooms and dormitories to open.

"When the students come, we shall need to agree on flexible terms of payment because some had not paid fees in full," he said.

Paul Ntale, the headteacher of the government-aided Duhaga Secondary School, said unless they receive the capitation grant as promised by the Government, it will be difficult for them to re-open.