By Mike Rwothomio

In a strategic move to tackle persistent infrastructure deficits in Universal Primary Education (UPE) institutions, Paidha Town Council, in Zombo District has officially commenced the distribution of pupil desks to government-aided primary schools, prioritizing learner-centered environments and reducing the incidence of floor-sitting during instruction.

The intervention that kick-started on November, 27 , directly responds to chronic challenges in school facilities, exacerbated by surging enrolment under UPE, overcrowded classrooms, high pupil-teacher ratios, and constrained capitation grants.

The rollout began at Mvungu Upper Primary School, a high-enrolment public institution with over 1,800 learners, which received 37 dual-seater desks valued at UGX 8 million.

Additional beneficiary schools in the current financial year include Oturgang Boys and Girls Primary School and Paidha Demonstration Primary School. Mvungu Lower Primary School will also receive a five-stance VIP latrine valued at UGX 17.4 million to address sanitation gaps.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Paidha Town Council LCIII Chairperson, Innocent Godfred Onega, emphasized that the initiative is aligned with national education sector goals of improving education effectiveness through adequate seating. “Providing appropriate furniture is a critical input in enhancing teaching and learning processes, learner concentration, attendance, and overall academic performance,” he stated.

Mvungu Upper Primary School Headteacher, Mr Aniku Grisim, welcomed the donation as a vital supplement to the school’s internal resource mobilization efforts, which currently produce six desks per term.

“This partnership significantly accelerates our transition toward a fully furnished learning environment,” he noted.

Mr Bidongu Okun Andrew, Chairperson of the School Management Committee/PTA, described the intervention as “a transformative milestone in addressing infrastructural bottlenecks that undermine equity and quality in basic education delivery.”

The initiative underscores the critical role of local government in bridging resource gaps identified in national assessments.

According to the Education Policy and Data Center (EPDC/UNESCO, 2019), approximately 60% of primary schools nationwide lack basic furniture and learning materials, contributing to poor retention and learning outcomes.

LCIII Paidha town council Innocent Onega has pledged continued phased support to other public primary schools within its jurisdiction to progressively eliminate floor-sitting and improve the overall learning across the town.

LCIII Paidha town council Innocent Godfred Onega ( middle), along side school headteacher Mvungu Upper ( R)and SMC

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa, your number one grassroot information hub.