Katakwi- Inadequate infrastructure such as classrooms , Lack of toilet facilities are some of the challenges crippling learning in some of the government-aided primary schools in Katakwi District.

In Apuuton Primary School located in Katakwi town council with an overwhelming population of 2,004 pupil’s, its noted that learners of Primary one are conducting lessons under trees while those in primary three struggle for space due to the small classroom to contain them.

Betty Acipa, the deputy head teacher Apuuton primary school confirms that the pupil to latrine ratio is very high. Acipa says out of an enrollment of 2,004 pupils, 1,020  boys grapple with challenge of latrine as witnessed parading in lines waiting to share a 5 stance pit latrine while 980 girls also share one latrine.

She added saying during break time pupils run to nearby bushes to ease themselves because latrine ratio is not enough, says is alarming since it may expose learners to hygiene related diseases.

Further she said out of 2,004 pupils , 1,587 pupils are in the day section but the 417 pupils who reside at the school mini boarding section are grappling with limited spaces of accommodation due to lack of infrastructure.

She says all the above challenges have crippled the learning in the schools as learners are disorganized especially during raining and other natural calamities hence need by government to uplift Apuuton being one of the reference schools for education in Katakwi and Teso.

A statement made by the Katakwi district Education Office reveals that a number of schools in the district are noted lacking classrooms, teachers’ accommodation, poor infrastructure and access to clean water, among others as challenges across the 78 schools.

Angella Atim Mudong, the District Education Officer asserts that the classroom challenge across the 78 schools is among other major challenges in the education sector , she says that the challenge forces them to lobby from well-wishers and depend on partners.

Atim says they are relaying on grand’s from central government which can’t solve the challenge since schools enrollments are growing rapidly. She says the funds got from district as local funds are mega to address the shortage of infrastructure in schools.

Juliet Cheptoyek , the deputy Chief Administrative Officer Katakwi, says the district has  noted lack of  poor infrastructure , teachers’ accommodation and access to clean water, among other challenges that schools are  facing  are the key issues the district is look on to address when funds permit.