By KT Reporter
The delayed completion of works has hindered learning at Looro Seed Secondary School in Amudat district.
Looro Seed School was established in 2017 by the community and first operated in rented rooms at the Looro trading center before it was transferred to the sub-county headquarters. The Looro sub-county authorities offered a six-roomed block that the school is using for classes and the dormitory as they waited for the completion of the new secondary school that is about 500 meters away.
In 2022, the government commenced the construction at an estimated cost of about 3.6 billion Shillings, and the works were expected to be completed in December 2024. However, work has been pushed to June, leaving the learners in dire need of a conducive environment for studying.
Judith Chelengat, one of the students, said that the delayed completion of work on the new structures has hindered their learning. She noted that all the classes from s1 to s4 are being confined to one block that used to be the administrative headquarters for the sub-county, while one of the rooms is used as a girls’ dormitory.
She also added that the situation was made worse when the storm blew off the roof, forcing them to use one of the houses for the sub-county staff.
Chelengat noted that due to a lack of space for learning, they have failed to have a library and laboratory, while the computer lab has been fixed in the corridor and cannot accommodate more than five learners.
Joseph Aisu, the senior male teacher, said that they are operating in the old administrative block at the sub-county quarters with an enrollment of 174 students and 27 teaching staff.
Aisu said the lack of space has limited them from mobilizing more learners, and the situation has forced them to maintain the population at 40 or below in each classroom.
Aisu said that they have an overwhelming staff, and it is now the government delaying taking up the responsibility. He said that the teachers are all working voluntarily, and the money collected is for the welfare of learners and teachers in school.
Aisu revealed that they are currently charging 150,000 for the day scholars and 210,000 shillings for the boarding students.
Emmanuel Lingaa, the Amudat District Education Officer, said that the works are nearing completion, but the contractors have been away from the site for over a month.
Lingaa said that the contract was extended up to June this year, but the initiative agreement was to finish it before April. He noted that the contractor is handling the construction of three schools at the same time, and now it is affecting the time frame agreed upon.
Lingaa said that the school is illegally operating and is not recognized as per government policy.
Joseph Nangole Lobot, the LCV Chairperson of Amudat district, said that the school was supposed to have been commissioned in December 2024, but he found the works were behind schedule.
Lobot explained that the delays in work led to the return of money to the consolidated fund, and they had to wait until it was returned as a supplementary fund. He said that when they received the money, they could not pay the contractor because the work was not complete-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
