Parents at Kanyabikyere Primary School in Mahyoro Town Council, Kitagwenda District, have accused the government of neglecting the school, citing a severe shortage of classrooms, inadequate sanitation facilities and deteriorating infrastructure that has left hundreds of learners studying in unsafe conditions.
The school, which has an enrolment of more than 400 pupils, has only four classroom blocks constructed in the 1990s, raising concerns about the government’s failure to provide adequate learning facilities despite the growing number of learners.
According to the parents, more than 150 pupils are forced to study under trees due to the shortage of classrooms, exposing them to harsh weather conditions, particularly during the rainy season. They say the situation disrupts learning and puts the safety and welfare of the children at risk.
Led by the School Management Committee Chairperson, Tumuhimbise Imelda, the parents have expressed frustration over what they describe as prolonged government neglect, questioning why the school has continued to operate under such difficult conditions for years without meaningful infrastructure development.
The sanitation situation is equally worrying, with parents reporting that the school has no government-constructed latrine currently serving its needs, while the few facilities available were built by well-wishers and are now in a deplorable state.
The inadequate and deteriorating toilet facilities have further exposed learners to poor sanitation conditions, adding to the challenges faced by a school already struggling with insufficient classrooms.
Headteacher John Tumwijukye questioned why the government has taken so long to address the school’s infrastructure challenges, despite the urgent need for additional classrooms and proper sanitation facilities.
He expressed concern that the continued delay in providing essential infrastructure has left both teachers and learners struggling to operate in an environment that does not support effective teaching and learning.
Mahyoro Town Council LCIII Chairperson Joshua Atumanya said the government had considered Kanyabikyere Primary School for support under the School Facilitation Grant in the previous financial year, but the project was instead diverted to another school.
Atumanya said he intends to petition the Chief Administrative Officer to ensure that Kanyabikyere Primary School is given urgent consideration in the next financial year’s budget, which he referred to as the 2027/2026 financial year.
The situation at Kanyabikyere Primary School has renewed concerns over the distribution of government education resources, with parents questioning why a school serving more than 400 pupils continues to lack basic facilities decades after its existing classrooms were constructed.