By Tasia Doreen

Moyo
 
A section of  government aided primary schools in Moyo district are grappling with inadequate class rooms which has led to congestion of learners affecting  learning and performance .

The head teacher Kokongolo primary school oaikani Gladys in Aluru Sub County one of the affected school says they are struggling with only six class rooms yet its P.7 School. She notes that p.1 and p.2 are using the staff room leaving the teachers with no specific area to site in. “apparently the office is everything, the office is sometimes in the store and library. I’m urging the district authorities to consider construction of a new block to accommodate the other class occupying the staff room. If government looks at the population of the school as a factor to put up more blocks kokolongolo primary school deserves more rooms” she said.

Mr. Buni Christopher the head teacher Eremi primary school, said currently there are 810 learners registered in the school with only seven class rooms forcing the learners to be congested in the available classrooms in the school. However when I asked how they were managing the situation,  he added: “sometimes  afternoon lessons are conducted under the mango trees especially when it is very hot during English lessons so that the learners can interact freely and   get fresh air”.

Similarly the head teacher Moyo boy’s primary school Mr. Lowirigo James pointed that the school  has over 610 learners with  only three class room blocks although one is in a dilapidated state which is currently out of use.

The head teacher Lechu primary school Mr. Adracha sinako says that one of the factors affecting performance of learners in the district is the inadequate class rooms coupled with the sitting materials that are not enough. He remarked that the congestion in class rooms is as a result of covid 19 which has made learners to pile in class rooms making it hard to monitor some of the learners due to their big number.

According to the Ministry of education and sports, an enrolment of not more than 40 pupils is expected  per class, per teacher with 12 Appropriate sitting facilities for the learners and in secondary schools the policy is 60 students per class.

COVER PHOTO: One of the dilapitated classroom block at Moyo Boys’ Primary School. By Tasia Doreen