KAMPALA –The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced plans to refurbish 120 traditional Secondary schools.
The line Minister, Janet Kataha Museveni announced the development at the State House, Nakasero on Thursday during a presentation of the Education sector’s progress in the implementation of the NRM manifesto.
Janet Museveni said that the selected schools will be refurbished using a grant from the Global Partnership for Education – GPE and with a concessionary credit facility from the World Bank.
The minister noted that this project is planned for a span of five years, with the possibility of increasing on the number of the beneficiary schools depending on the availability of more funds.
She highlighted that they had already made a plan; with the intention of beginning with the oldest schools that were established prior to independence, as well as those built shortly after. Additionally, she emphasised that priority will be given to schools that have encountered difficulties such as fires or storms that may have caused damage to classrooms or dormitories.
Missionary founded schools existed spans before independence before the government established several others – which were referred to as national schools – following the enactment of the 1963 Educational Act. These schools were constructed in various regions across the country.
With the exception of a few schools primarily located in urban centres, the majority of these educational institutions are in a lamentable condition, struggling with deteriorated and insufficient infrastructure. They have undergone little to no renovation for an extended period of time, leaving them as mere shadows of their past significance.
The NRM 2020 manifesto included a promise to enhance traditional schools, which has long been anticipated by numerous traditional schools suffering from dilapidation and low academic performance.
Some of the prominent schools that are currently in a poor state include Nabumali High School in Mbale; Busoga College Mwiri; St. Peter’s College in Tororo; Nyapea College in Zombo district; Sir Samuel Baker in Northern Uganda; Nganwa High School in Sheema; and Ruyonza High School in Bushenyi.
Others are Kamonkoli College in Budaka; Manjasi High School in Tororo; Buyamba SS in Rakai; and Duhaga SS in Hoima. Others facing similar challenges include Gulu High School; Kitgum High School; Masaba SS in Sironko; Kachonga SS in Butaleja; and Tororo Girls School.
It is noteworthy that since the early 2000s, the Ministry of Education has repeatedly made promises to provide these schools with much-needed improvements. Unfortunately, these have remained unfulfilled, leaving the schools in a state of neglect.
In recent years, some of the aforementioned schools have made efforts to improve their conditions and regain their former glory. These initiatives have been undertaken by both alumni and well-wishers who have shown their support for the schools.
