By Jalia Namasaba
Urgent intervention into Nkoma Senior Secondary school Crisis Demands Immediate response as condemned school roof goes off.
Nkoma Secondary School, a historic institution in Mbale City, Uganda, faces a critical situation that demands urgent government intervention. Despite being the most populated secondary school in East Africa, it grapples with structural deficiencies and outdated buildings.
Challenges Faced:
Structural Shortages: The school operates on a split-shift timetable due to a shortage of classrooms, affecting students’ learning hours.
Government Loan:
In response to these challenges, the Ugandan government approved a 20 billion Ugandan shillings loan for construction, aiming to address the school’s infrastructure needs.
Condemned Structures:
Unfortunately, several newly constructed buildings, including those with over 14 classrooms, were condemned even before being put to use in 2015, raising concerns about construction quality and oversight.
Recent Disaster:
Last week, a condemned structure’s roof collapsed, damaging nearby school Mbale High School and the school’s computer lab, resulting in the destruction of 187 computers.
Government Response:
Despite pleas from Nkoma SS and Mbale City authorities for intervention, the Ministry of Education is considering spending over 1 billion Ugandan shillings to demolish the condemned structure. However, this option seems shortsighted, especially since there’s no immediate plan for reconstruction.
Concerns Raised:
Contractor Accountability:
There are suspicions about the involvement of influential figures in the contracting process, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Full Payment for Condemned Structure: It’s baffling how the contractor received full payment for a structure deemed unfit for use before commissioning, suggesting a lack of due diligence.
Lack of Local Control: The absence of decision-making power for schools and local governments regarding such critical infrastructure projects undermines their ability to address pressing issues in their communities.
The precarious situation at Nkoma SS demands swift and decisive action from the government. Instead of rushing to demolish the condemned structure, alternative solutions such as renovation should be explored, considering the financial burden on taxpayers and the urgent need to ensure the safety of students and staff.
There need for immediate Government Intervention because we’re there at the seen as ONC team Bugisu Region and saw every thing that has been destroyed by the heavy rains
There’s a cry out due heavy rains