By Mike Rwothomio

Parents and stakeholders are urgently calling for intervention to address the sanitation infrastructure crisis at Padea Olyeku Primary School in Serr Parish, Abanga Sub-County, Zombo District.

The school, grappling with an overwhelming learner's population, lacks adequate sanitation facilities critical for fostering pupils health, academic performance, and retention.

Despite ongoing government efforts to improve school infrastructure, many educational institutions, including Padea Olyeku, continue to face deficits in basic sanitation resources essential for learner well-being.

Padea Olyeku Primary School, a government-aided institution established decades ago, serves approximately 1,086 pupils from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As the only government-aided primary school in the parish, it caters to a predominantly rural, agrarian community.

The school’s sanitation infrastructure is severely strained, with only two latrine blocks constructed in 1998 and 2004 available. The boys’ latrine is already at capacity, exacerbating the crisis and forcing learners to resort to using a nearby church’s latrine, a situation parents describe as unacceptable.

A parent, speaking anonymously to this publication, emphasized the urgency: “Immediate assistance is needed. Our children are using external facilities, which is unacceptable. We urge education authorities to resolve this crisis.”

Another parent, identified only as Ungan, expressed concern about the reluctance of many parents to speak out, noting, “The situation is dire. Learners are returning home with complaints, and we appeal for immediate intervention.”

One of the latrine blocks at Padea Ulyeku Primary School which was constructed in 1998.

According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), approximately 37% of primary schools and 25% of secondary schools in Uganda lack access to clean water, while 60% of rural schools are without basic sanitation facilities.

This crisis at Padea Olyeku coincides with a nationwide teachers’ strike, which has led to the closure of government-aided primary schools across Zombo District, further highlighting the need for timely action.

A parent from Pamitu village, Bijik remarked, “With teachers on strike, now is the opportune moment for the leaders to address this sanitation crisis.”

The newly appointed headteacher, Richard Wanadi, acknowledged the critical state of the boys’ latrine facilities and confirmed that the school has formally notified the sub-county administration.

"I found there is a problem with the boys' latrine. It is almost full. While the girls' latrine, we have five stances which are just in good condition. That is the problem we have. While we have improvised a changing room for girls, girls are just safe." He explained.

Wanadi noted that to mitigate the issue temporarily, the school plans to use funds contributed by parents while awaiting a response from local authorities.

"We wrote to the sub-county about our toilet for the boys, but you know with this industrial action we are unable to follow it up. I talked to the councillor representing Serr Parish, but for the moment they cannot do much. Now we are waiting for some little money from the parents. We can erect at least two stances as we wait for a better one from the sub-county " He added.

Padea Olyeku is amongst many of the 92 primary schools in Zombo District facing inadequate sanitation facilities, with Oturgang Boys Primary School in Paidha Town Council also grappling with similar challenges due to high enrollment.

Historically, Padea Olyeku was renowned for its academic excellence in the early 2000s. Stakeholders believe that addressing essential infrastructure needs, such as sanitation facilities, could help the school reclaim its former academic standing.

According to a 2024 statement by Ismael Mulindwa, Director of Basic and Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, 43% of Ugandan schools lack access to clean water, and the national pupil-to-latrine ratio stands at 1:71, far exceeding the target of 1:40.

James Ubima, Secretary for Social Services in Abanga Sub-County, underscored the severity of the crisis, noting that limited funding constrains the sub-county’s ability to act swiftly.

He referenced recent efforts to address a similar crisis at Kasala Primary School, where funds were allocated to construct latrines.

Ubima stated, “The sanitation facilities at Padea Olyeku are dilapidated. Urgent intervention from district education authorities is needed to resolve this issue permanently.”

A latrine blocks constructed in 2004.

Parents warn that the current situation risks creating conditions conducive to disease outbreaks, which could further impact student health, attendance, and academic outcomes.

Last term, the Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, Festus Ayikobua, temporarily closed Mvule Primary School in Paidha Town Council after discovering pupils were studying under extreme heat and sharing inadequate latrine facilities.

Ayikobua urged school management committees (SMCs) and parent-teacher associations (PTAs) to strategically utilize Universal Primary Education (UPE) grants to address such infrastructure challenges.

Health experts highlight that poor sanitation contributes to chronic absenteeism due to health-related issues, further compounding educational challenges.

Despite government interventions, optimism remains that phased improvements in sanitation infrastructure could enhance learning outcomes in Zombo District, where a 10% dropout rate, high rates of early marriage, and teenage pregnancy already hinder educational progress. 

The Ministry of Education and Sports reports that the current pupil-to-latrine ratio of 1:71 is nearly double the national target, underscoring the urgent need for targeted resource allocation to improve sanitation and learning environments.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot informations