Huge Number of Learners Constrain Gov't Schools in Luwero

Government Secondary Schools in Luwero district have decided to set up classrooms under trees to accommodate the overwhelming number of students. The most affected are Target Community College, Buzibwera, Wakatayi, and Luteete Secondary Schools in Luwero district. 

Erastus Kibirango, the Luwero district LC 5 chairperson, says that following the return to normalcy after the COVID-19 lockdown, the schools have seen a significant increase in the number of students compared to previous years. Kibirango mentions that a school like Target Community College in Wobulenzi town has seen an increase from 700 students before the COVID-19 lockdown to 1,556 students in 2023. 

Kibirango explains that as a result, the classrooms and furniture have become inadequate, forcing schools to create makeshift classrooms under the trees. However, he notes that this has been disrupted by the rainy season, negatively affecting the learning environment. 

Hajji Abdu Noor Lwanga, the headteacher of Target Community College, says that each class is supposed to accommodate 65 students, but they now host over 160 learners. Lwanga mentions that they have decided to create more classrooms under the trees to accommodate students in smaller groups and enable teachers to interact with them. 

Lwanga adds that they currently need an additional eight classrooms to accommodate all the students at the school, but they haven't received any grants from the government for construction in recent years.   

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Ivan Ssemwanja, a senior four student at Target Community College, says that currently, 257 candidates share one classroom, making learning difficult due to overcrowding. 

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As a result, the school administrators, students, and local leaders have appealed to area Members of Parliament to lobby for grants to expand the government schools to accommodate the large numbers of students. Robert Ssekitoleeko, the Bamunanika County Member of Parliament, says that they are also overwhelmed with financial requests from government schools to construct new classroom blocks.

Ssekitoleeko mentions that the parents are too poor to fund the construction of classroom blocks, and there is a pressing need for the government to address this issue urgently before students abandon schools. Brenda Nabukenya, the Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament, has requested the Ministry of Education and Sports to support the existing schools rather than building new schools in remote areas that remain underutilized. 

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There are 230 Universal Primary schools, 23 government-aided secondary schools, and two technical institutions in Luwero district.