Hon. Lukooya’s Night Inspection Exposes Miserable Sleeping Conditions at Nongo Junior School, a Day School in Mukono

A night inspection by Mukono District Governor Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome at Nongo Junior School in Kasawo Sub-county has raised concerns over the welfare and safety of pupils after leaders reportedly found Primary Seven candidates sleeping on bare ground under poor conditions at a school registered as a day primary school. The Wednesday visit also exposed concerns about hostel arrangements, teachers’ sleeping conditions and the safety of learners who had reportedly gone to fetch water late at night, prompting calls for an immediate assessment by the District Education Officer.

Following community concerns that girls share the same dormitory with boys, Hon. Francis Lukooya Mukoome on Wednesday night made an abrupt visit to Nongo Junior School in Kigogola Parish, Kasawo Sub-county, Mukono District, to assess the learning and sleeping conditions of pupils.

The district leadership team arrived at the school premises at approximately 7:21 p.m. The delegation included Vice Chairperson Hon. Tumwesigye Innocent, District Youth Councillor Hon. Tony Kalyango, who also serves as Secretary for Finance, and Hon. Nakaddu Winfred, Secretary for Works.

Upon arrival, the team asked the teachers present to show them where the school's candidates sleep. The inspection established that boys and girls were sleeping in separate dormitories, contrary to the rumours circulating in the community. However, the team expressed concern over the general condition of the facilities used by the pupils.

The leaders observed that the sleeping environment was worrying, particularly because Nongo Junior School is registered as a day school, raising questions about the operation of a hostel on its premises. The team also discovered that teachers but also pupils were sleeping on bare ground under what were described as poor conditions.

The inspection further raised concerns about the whereabouts and safety of pupils at the time of the visit. After searching around the school compound without finding them, the team questioned the teachers, who explained that the learners had gone to fetch water from a nearby borehole.

By then, it was approaching 8:00 p.m. The leaders expressed concern that the pupils, many of whom were girls, had been sent to collect water without a teacher or security personnel escorting them. The borehole's surroundings, which included sugarcane plantations, were also considered potentially risky for young learners moving around at night.

Hon. Lukooya subsequently contacted the school director, identified by the name Ojambo, who was not present during the inspection. The District Governor directed him to address the hostel concerns, noting that the school's operation needed to comply with the regulations governing institutions registered as day schools.

He also instructed the District Education Officer (DEO) to visit the school immediately and assess its operations to establish whether it was complying with the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Sports.

According to the deputy head teacher, Nongo Junior School has a total population of 150 pupils, including 13 candidates in Primary Seven. The P.7 class comprises two boys and 11 girls.

Some learners found at the school told the visiting leaders that they paid approximately Shs300, 000 for boarding section. The information raised further questions about the school's boarding arrangements and the need for the education authorities to verify the institution's registration status and operational practices.

Addressing the pupils, Hon. Lukooya reassured them that the leaders had visited to assess their welfare and ensure that they were learning in a safe and conducive environment. He encouraged them not to fear the visiting team, explaining that their concern was to protect the learners and ensure that their education did not expose them to unnecessary risks.

The night visit highlights the importance of regular school inspections and the responsibility of education authorities to ensure that schools provide safe accommodation, adequate sanitation, proper supervision and suitable learning conditions.

The findings are expected to guide further assessment by the District Education Officer and other relevant authorities, particularly regarding the school's hostel arrangements, the safety of pupils and the welfare of teachers.