WESTERN PROVINCE

KIBUYE — For more than a decade, Kibuye primary school starts a new academic year without enough desks and adequate classrooms, forcing pupils to repeat classes, the school head teacher said.

"I have led this school since 1991 but we have never had adequate seats. Though the problem wasn’t so pressing originally, with the increase in pupil enrollment we need classrooms and seats badly," said Javier Rwakairo.

"Some of my pupils have been made to repeat yet they had been promoted because they can’t get access to seats in the next classes," he added without disclosing for how long pupils repeat certain classes.

He appealed to district authorities for assistance. "We are calling on the district authorities to include us in the district budget so that we can be able to do our work well," said Rwakairo.

With 835 pupil enrollment, the school has a target of admitting 900 pupils even without adequate facilities. He said the school also lacks sizable play ground which has affected games and sports among pupils.

At Gatwaro primary school, the school authorities also complain of similar problems.

"We are lucky to have a playground but how about the inadequate class rooms?" asked one member of staff who asked not to be named.

While at Nyeigabo primary school with about 300 pupils; they lack adequate latrines.

The pupils and teachers share one crumbling latrine with a wooden floor.

The school staff and parents are concerned that it may be a recipe for danger.

"The school latrine is in a bad state, I have fear that one time a nursery pupil will end up falling in that hole, besides, people can contract diseases from it if this problem is not sorted out," said one of the parents.

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