Rukungiri – Rwera primary school , a government public school in Ruhinds sub- county is struggling to operate due to lack of teachers and boys toilets.
Located at about 34 kilometers from Rukungiri town and district headquarters in Nyabukumba Cell, Nyarwimuka Parish in Ruhinda Sub-county, Rukungiri District, the school has an enrollment of 222 pupils and has served the community for decades.
Established in 1960 under a church foundation, the school was later taken over by the government in 1976. However, despite its long history and continued role in educating children in the area, the school is still struggling with basic infrastructure and staffing needs.
Mr Muhoozi Wilson, a parent of 3 and the Vice Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), said the school is seriously struggling to operate due to shortage of teachers and boys toilets.
“Lack of boys and teachers toilets is seriously affecting school operations because pupils are sharing the same toilet with teachers making teachers’ privacy a challenge. Am therefore appealing to the authorities to come to our rescue,” Mr Muhoozi said’’.
Mr John Karukuze, the PTA Chairperson appealed to the government to urgently intervene and provide the school with the necessary sanitation facilities.
‘’ As school we can’t address this problem on our own it is from this point that I am asking our leaders both at the sub- county and district leaders to support us with a toilet to improve the conditions under which pupils study’’. Mr Karukuze said.
Mr Karukuze added that “We are asking the government to urgently intervene and construct a proper toilet for the boys. Our children deserve to study in a school where they have access to safe and adequate sanitation facilities.
The school head teacher Mr Agaba Edison said the lack of a boys’ toilet forces male pupils to use the same toilet facility with girls when they need to answer nature’s call.
“The absence of a boys’ toilet is a big challenge to us. Boys have no separate facility, so they are forced to answer nature’s calls in the same toilet with girls. We need urgent support to construct a proper toilet for the boys,” Mr Agaba said.
Mr Agaba added that ‘’ improving sanitation at the school will not only address the immediate challenge but will also create a better environment for pupils and teachers’’.
Sorry stated toilet at Rwera Primary school. Photo by Ronald Kabanza.
Mr Agaba is also being irked by shortage of teachers saying staffing gap, together with inadequate sanitation facilities makes it difficult for the school to operate normally.
The Ruhinda sub- county LC3 Chairperson MS Helen Kabajungu said ‘’ We notified the district on the situation at the school but we haven’t received any response from the district leadership’’
The Rukungiri district Education Officer Mr Jackson Turyahumura said his department is aware of the challenge at the school but their hands are tied due to lack of funds.
‘’ My office is very aware of this challenge at Rwera primary school. About 2 weeks ago I visited the school and I agreed with the school leaders to put up a semi -permanent temporary toilet as we wait for the government ’’. Mr Turyahumura said.
The Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Bron Kikanshemeza said the lack of a toilet at the school is a serious matter and it requires quick intervention.
‘’ Lack of a toilet is a serious issue and it needs quick intervention. If sanitation facilities are not adequate, it can result in outbreaks of sanitation-related diseases. As responsible authorities we are going to act quickly to protect the health of the pupils,” Mr Kikanshemeza said
