STELLA T
Residents, parents, teachers, and the headmistress of Ruruku Primary School in Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality, are decrying the lack of staff accommodation and other essential infrastructure at the school.
Peace Kyomuhendo, the headteacher of Ruruku Primary School, attributes the problem to rampant teacher absenteeism and the poor performance of pupils. She explained that some teachers live far from the school, while others struggle to find decent accommodation nearby.
She further noted that seven teachers, including herself, reside outside the school, with the headteacher living several kilometers away. As a result, the school’s enrollment has dropped from 500 to 217, with many teachers seeking transfers due to the lack of staff accommodation.
Komushana Ritah, a parent at Ruruku Primary School, expressed concern that the lack of staff accommodation forces teachers to live far away, negatively impacting both their performance and that of the pupils.
Emmanuel Baigana Chris, a teacher at Ruruku Primary School, stated that commuting long distances daily puts teachers at risk and leaves them exhausted, making it difficult to concentrate in class.
He also highlighted the lack of electricity at the school, which prevents them from conducting remedial lessons in the evening due to darkness. Baigana called on the relevant authorities to construct decent staff housing to improve teachers’ welfare.
