Parents, students, and teachers at Kamuwunga Primary School in Lukaya Town Council, Kalungu District, are enduring significant disruptions due to flooding that has displaced them for several months.
The school has had to move into tents for shelter. Floodwaters have inundated the area for the past seven months, and the school community is calling on authorities to find a lasting solution to prevent future flooding.
“These floods began in December 2023, and nothing has been done to address the situation or clear the area,” said Scholastica Apiding, the headteacher of Kamuwunga Primary School.
Despite the attempts by local authorities and education officials to establish temporary classrooms in tents, conditions for both students and teachers remain difficult, with the school now looking more like a wreck than a learning environment.
A recent visit to the school revealed that the floodwaters had not subsided, leaving the school grounds still under water.
The ongoing flooding issue has resulted in the school being in disarray, with students and teachers finding it challenging to continue their academic activities.
Students and teachers have had to traverse flooded roads to reach the tents, where conditions are still difficult.
The temporary classrooms set up on a nearby landing site also face issues, with cramped space and inadequate seating for students, who have to sit on plastic sheets spread on the ground.
The situation is less than ideal, and teachers are finding it hard to create a suitable learning environment amid the disorder.
Ms. Apiding voiced her frustration with the persistent difficulties.
“The space is too limited; we can only set up four tents for seven classes. The environment is not conducive for studying because of the surrounding noise,” she said.
She also pointed out the inadequate sanitation facilities and the challenges caused by flooded roads, which have made regular attendance nearly impossible for students.
The headteacher added that some teachers have left the school because of the poor working conditions.
“We’re facing a shortage of resources, which is impacting both students and teachers,” she said.
The displacement has led to pupils spending much of their time outside, while teachers struggle to provide effective education.
Residents of Kamuwunga attribute the flooding to sand mining and rice cultivation in Lwera, and they accuse the government and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of not tackling the underlying issues.
Kalungu District Chairperson Kamaadi Nyombi Mukiibi acknowledged the district’s limited ability to manage the crisis.
“We’ve done what we can with the available resources, such as setting up tents, but the central government ministries hold the primary responsibility, as we receive limited funding and many government schools are in a critical state,” he said.
“We urge all ministries to step in and address the flooding issue,” Mr. Mukiibi said.
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution, calling on higher authorities to take decisive action.
“This situation demands more than just temporary fixes. We need long-term measures to prevent future flooding and ensure our children can receive uninterrupted education,” he added.
As Kamuwunga Primary School continues to struggle with the effects of flooding, both pupils and teachers are in urgent need of support to create a conducive learning environment and secure their educational future.
