Butandiga Primary School, located in Sironko District, is facing a severe crisis as the teachers' quarters are in deplorable condition, negatively impacting both the educators and the pupils. The staff houses, constructed from mud, are falling apart and are barely habitable. Parents, teachers, and school administrators have raised concerns over how the poor state of these facilities is affecting the quality of education at the school.
Parents like Lona Nakusi and Mafabi Alex have expressed their frustration, noting that their children’s academic performance has significantly declined. They attribute this to teachers’ inability to stay on the school premises due to the uninhabitable conditions of the staff quarters. As a result, many teachers commute from far distances, often arriving late to school, which disrupts learning and reduces the time pupils spend in class.
Mr. Gidongo Sam, the headteacher of Butandiga Primary School, revealed that the poor state of the teachers' quarters has led to a high turnover of staff. "Good teachers transfer out of the school almost immediately after being posted here because they cannot tolerate the living conditions. Those who remain have to travel long distances and often report late, which affects the pupils' learning," he explained. He further emphasized that the lack of motivated teachers has contributed to the school's poor performance in last year’s Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), where no pupil achieved a first-grade score.
Watake Francis, the vice chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and School Committee, stated that the school has reached out to Sironko District education officials and local politicians for assistance, but no action has been taken so far. "We have written several letters seeking help, but nothing positive has come out of it. The situation is dire, and we need urgent intervention," he said.
Mr. Julisi Nakiyi, a local political leader, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of motivating teachers to ensure quality education. "When teachers are not motivated, the children suffer. The government must step in and address this issue to secure the future of these pupils," he urged.
The headteacher, Mr. Gidongo Sam, has made a passionate appeal to the government and well-wishers to intervene and improve the teachers' living conditions. "If we want to see better results and a brighter future for our children, we must first take care of the teachers who are responsible for their education. We urgently need better staff housing to retain and motivate our teachers," he pleaded.
The situation at Butandiga Primary School highlights a critical need for investment in teachers' welfare and school infrastructure. Without immediate action, the future of the pupils and the quality of education in the area remain at risk.
