Buyobe Church of Uganda Primary School was abruptly closed following discoveries that students were sleeping on improvised beds on the floor.
The closure of the 15-year-old private school, which has an enrollment of about 280 students, was ordered by Senior Inspector of Schools Godfrey Cherop and officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports. The team is currently conducting a week-long inspection of boarding facilities in the district to ensure compliance with minimum education standards.
At Buyobe Church of Uganda Primary School, Cherop, accompanied by District Inspector of Schools Ramadhan Simali and Senior Education Officer Ronald Mukiibi, was shocked to find all pupils sleeping on beds laid directly on the floor. “Besides this illegality, the school was found operating without a license and running an illegal boarding section,” officials noted.
Cherop and Simali informed the school administration that the facility had been closed. “On this 25th day of June, this school has been found operating an illegal boarding facility and has been closed forthwith. Failure to abide by the directive will attract severe penalty,” Cherop warned.
The team directed Headteacher Fred Kisitu to call an assembly, at which students were sent home. Some pupils, mostly primary seven candidates, were visibly in tears following the directive. Kisitu, who claimed the boarding facility was temporary and requested more time to fix it, also shed tears. “Go back home and tomorrow don’t come to school. This school will reopen when it gets an operating license and an improved boarding facility with beds,” Cherop told the students.
Earlier, there was drama at the school as the team of inspectors was denied access to the locked dormitories, with the school administration claiming they had misplaced the keys.
On Monday, Cherop announced that at least 50 primary and secondary schools in the district had been given a five-day ultimatum to meet minimum education requirements or face closure.
