By Mike Rwothomio

The Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Festus Ayikobua, has ordered for the temporary closure of Government-aided Mvule Primary School for one week, over dilapidated structures and lack of sanitary facilities.

This was during an impromptu inspection visit to the school by the RDC together with his team on Thursday 13, March, 2025.

The government-aided Mvule Primary School, located in Central ward, Paidha town council, is amongst the 92 Public Primary Schools in Zombo District.

The school that faces significant body of challenges including the insufficient space, is circled by Paidha town council headquarters, the National Water and sewerage corporation offices, and the expansive Christ the King Catholic Chapel.

The team discovered learners at the school studying in makeshift structures with open roof exposing them to scorch sun heat and rainfall respectively, one latrine stance serving 436 boys and girls including teachers, unlawful issuing of unofficial receipts and exobitant levying of fees amounting to 44,000 shillings on each child per year.

Mvule Primary School is Located in Mvule Cell, central ward, Paidha town council.

The RDC blames the school leadership for failing "to utilize and account for annual capitation grants given to them by the government" , ordering the learners to go back home and return on Wednesday next week, after temporary solutions to the challenges are brought forth by the school administration.

Mvule Primary School anually receives capitation grants ranging between 13-16 million, according to the school administration.

Ayikobua said" you should hold emergency meeting to seek solutions to these challenges, Government is giving you funds, what are you using it for ?, " 

He added " I'm closing this school now, we don't want our children to face eye challenges in future, their is no latrine stance, we don't want our children to contract diseases, go back home and come back next week on Wednesday " 

Mvule Primary School that stop at Primary five, has only three Parmanent classroom blocks and makeshift structures , with an enrollment of 436 Pupils and 7 staff members.

It was also discovered that, learners are using one of the condemned latrine stance, exposing them greater risks.

Learners speak out 

" We have one latrine stance that both boys and girls are sharing, even teachers are using this same latrine stance, the government should really help us, " One pupil of Primary five told this Publication in interview, before taking our reporter to one of the condemned latrine stance, that learners are sneaking to use.

Another pupil said, " We are facing challenges of Sunshine now and when it rains, we don't have lessons here, look at the roof, sun lights gets directly into our books and it's affecting our eyes" 

Another female learner noted, " I wash my clothes four times a week because of dusts, desks are few and the worst moment is when it rains, we mix with Primary two"

"We don't even have a clean water here, we are forced to go and get water at Zingili stream, which is very far," One of the learners told this reporter.

The school has 1000 litre tank installed years ago to harvest water during rainy season. Apparently, the tank has no gabble for harvesting water.

The RDC wondered why the tank was non functional, asking, " why don't you install a gable on this tank to harvest water during rainy season, this is something basic, it will help you alot "

Doreen Amia, the headteacher of the school was absent during the visit, but the deputy headteacher Albert Kigongo, commended the RDC and team for their visit, noting that it will bring alot of changes in the school.

Due to the visible unbearable challenges the school is facing, the RDC was forced to call the school Headteacher on Phone, asking " we have come to your office and we need you here, why is this school like this honestly ?, ", She couldn't explain more.

The deputy headteacher Albert Kigongo was asked to explain something little about funds utilization, he mumbled and stutters many times, saying , " Mr RDC, some of us have not taken long in this school, we can't explain everything honestly "

He added, " But some money was used for acquiring window curtains" 

When the RDC led his team and Journalists to move around the school compound and offices, it was discovered no window curtains was visible as being reported , but instead the window was covered with Manila cards.

Amidst all the challenges, hope is not lost for Mvule Primary School. Recently, A non governmental organization , CEFORD donated over shillings 30 Million to boost the school infrastructure. However, the school still faces deep-seated challenge of Limited space.

The School Deputy Head teacher Alfred Kigongo together with other teaching staff, acknowledged and noted body of challenges the school is going through, appealing for more timely support from Education and Sports Ministry.

The Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Bruno Manano, collected about four unofficial receipts, the school were using. He expressed Concerns over the practice, questioning the authenticity of the receipts.

Apparently, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is against the practice of levying fees on learners in Public primary schools, noting that " it's illegal" and discourages many learners from poverty-stricken home from accessing what he calls "free education".

Last year, Lwala primary school administration in Warr town council, Zombo District came under fire, after reportedly denying primary one learners from sitting for end of third term promotional exams.

However, many school administrators maintain that government stance against charges on learners is not feasible, adding that the insufficient funds the government- aided schools gets, can't allow it undertake a handful of essential activities in the Public schools.