A section of parents in Tororo district have resorted to the construction of grass-thatched houses for their teachers to act as staff quarters. The parents say teachers’ absenteeism and late coming is what prompted them to come up with the initiative to save their children’s future.
Korobudi in Mulanda sub-county Tororo is among the over one hundred fifty government-aided primary schools in the district. The school has a population of 842 pupils with 10 only teachers deployed.
Here, the three shining new blocks that serve as classrooms and administration is what welcomes you.
But despite the school’s new look, accommodation for teachers remains a major concern. As a result, most teachers were forced to rent far away from school, the reason many arrive late for classes or even absent themselves, which explains the school’s poor performance.
But in a bid to address the challenge, parents through their governing body, the Parents Teachers Association have opted to construct grass-thatched houses to save teachers from trekking long distances.
So far three houses have been completed and handed over. But due to the disappearance of spear grass used for roofing the structures, the parents have yet again shifted to constructing this semi-permanent building.
Their target is to have at least ten staff members accommodated within the school premises as the only way to improve education standards.
To the district education heads, the efforts by parents are timely given the financial constraints.
Political leaders however believe the gesture by parents shows commitment and love towards improving education standards for their children.
Much as political and education heads at the district welcomes the idea, the teachers want the government to put up better structures.
Out of the over 150 government aided primary schools in the district, a third are said to be without teachers’ accommodation facilities.
