12:35
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| Teacher delivers a lesson |
GEITA.
Students
and staff at Ukombozi and Nyankumbu primary schools in Geita Urban risk
contracting infectious diseases due to lack of latrines
The
situation goes against the grain of the 2010 Education Policy that underscores
the need for conducive teaching-learning environment. The two schools which
share a location comprise over 4,000 pupils with only 14 latrines and 16 classrooms.
On
average, one latrines is shared by close to 300 pupils whereas a single
classroom is being used by more than 250 pupils. Speaking withThe Citizen yesterday, the head teachers, Mr
Richard Rwengusi and Maxmilian Amosi, said the situation was most challenging.
“Ukombozi
alone has 1,792 pupils who share 176 desks, compelling a significant number of
them to attend lessons while sitting on the floor,” said Ukombozi Primary
School head teacher, Mr Rwengusi.
“Pupils’
as well as teachers’ health here is at stake since the latrines are few,
dilapidated and some of them are overflowing,” said Mr Maximilian, the
Nyankumbu Primary School head teacher. Some pupils are forced to follow
lessons through the windows of their fully packed classrooms.
“The
rooms are small, full of dust and poorly ventilated, a situation that causes
most of us to cough every day,” said a Standard Four pupil at Ukombozi, Vumilia
Maliyana. She also said due to overpopulation, they were unable to
effectively follow lessons, noting that they often left for home without having
learned anything from their teachers.
Another
student, Neema John who sat outside the classroom as classes went on said: “I
cannot hear clearly what the teacher is is instructing us there.”
Some
teachers who spoke with this paper said it was not easy for anyone to teach a
class of more than 300 students. “Students have occupied all spaces here and
yet others are outside as you (reporter) can see, you can’t even move and if
you want to write on the board you need to send out the pupil sitting near the
board,” said Ms Suzana Anthony who was teaching Standard Four pupils.
A
school committee leader, Mr Jonh Lunyumba said; “these problems have lasted for
so long and despite reporting to the town director, district educational
officer as well as district’s health officers no steps have been taken to
arrest the situation.”
When
contacted for response, Geita Town Council director, Ms Magreth Nakainga
acknowledged the problems but said their true will to rectify the poor state of
the schools was constrained by lack of funds.
