28 years on, Arivu SS still in ruins

todayAugust 11, 2021


By John Dibaba

Government has been faulted for failing to fulfill its pledge for the completion of a classroom block at Arivu Secondary School in Arua district.
In 1993, President Yoweri Museveni laid the foundation stone for the construction of a fully-fledged classroom block at the school and a dormitory. Also promised was a truck for the school. However 28 years down the road, the school is still waiting for its classroom block to be completed.
The school authorities say several letters sent to the office of the president as a reminder for the school project have yielded no fruits.
“All our efforts to seek for the completion of the building have been futile. Our only hope would be benefiting from NUSAF, PRDP, Dr. DIP, but all such projects have never come to us. Our learners have been studying in dusty classrooms without any form of protection like doors and windows”, said Grace Adia, the head teacher of the school.
The School Management Committee chair who is also the Uganda National Teachers Union UNATU chairperson Arua Amos Agatre says the old students need to come to their rescue.
“We are seeking urgent solutions to the problem. Most especially from the old students who know whatever is going on at this school. Because if not, the situations are going from bad to worse”, he said.
Arivu Secondary School is among the few government aided institutions in Vurra-County in the residual Arua district, with an enrollment of about 290 students. However the poor and inadequate infrastructure including the two uncompleted buildings is hampering learning outcomes.
The school managed to secure only 3 first grades in the 2020 Uganda Certificate of Education UCE examinations.   
But the Member of Parliament Vurra County Yovan Adriko blames the mess on the local leadership of Arua district for failing to do much to salvage the situation.
“I think our people did not do much. Such an institution cannot stay for long and nothing is done about it. Every year we could get reports from this school. Don’t we do inspection of schools? But anyway leave it to me, Im going to remind the office of the president and concerned authorities about what is going on. I hope something comes out”, he said.


COVER PHOTO: Part of the classroom block that needs face lift. Photo by John Dibaba.


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