By Eumu Emmanuel
Amolatar, Uganda – Agik Dak Primary School in Agik Sub-county, Amolatar District, is grappling with severe shortages of essential facilities, including latrine stances, desks, and adequate classrooms. These deficiencies are adversely affecting both sanitation standards and academic performance, creating a challenging learning environment for students and teachers alike.
Currently, the school has only six functional classroom blocks and three makeshift latrine stances, all in dire condition. These inadequate facilities are struggling to meet the needs of the large number of pupils and staff. The scarcity of proper sanitary facilities has led to unsanitary conditions, making it difficult for both students and teachers to maintain basic hygiene and contributing to a disrupted learning environment.
The situation is particularly dire in the semi-permanent classrooms housing the Nursery, Primary 1, and Primary 2 classes. Built by the government at least 20 years ago, these classrooms are now on the brink of collapse. The buildings lack doors and windows, and parts of the walls have already fallen apart. When it rains, students are forced to take cover under their desks for safety.
The only permanent classroom block, established by the government for staff offices and Primary 6 and 7 classes, also requires urgent repairs. The windows and doors are missing, and the structure is in desperate need of repainting and maintenance. The lack of proper infrastructure is creating a risky and uncomfortable environment for both students and staff.
Speaking with our reporter during a site visit, Agik Dak Primary School’s Headteacher, Vincent Eumu, expressed deep concern about the lack of essential facilities. He highlighted that the limited number of latrine stances is a major challenge for students and staff, affecting both hygiene and health.
“We urgently need assistance from well-wishers to help us improve our school’s infrastructure and address the sanitation crisis. Without proper facilities, it is difficult to provide a safe and conducive learning environment,” Eumu said.
The school is also struggling with a severe shortage of desks. With only 78 desks available, many students are forced to sit on the floor, making learning difficult and uncomfortable. The overcrowding exacerbates the challenges already faced by the school.
Mr. Francis Ogwang, a teacher at Agik Dak Primary School, told our reporter that teachers also face significant hardships. Due to the lack of accommodation and toilets, teachers are forced to trek at least 8 kilometers every day to get to school. This long commute not only causes delays but also hinders effective teaching, particularly during the rainy season.
Agik Dak Sub-county Chairman, Tommy Otaya, acknowledged the school’s challenges and expressed a commitment to visit the school soon to assess the situation. “We are aware of the problems at Agik Dak Primary School, and we plan to visit soon to understand the extent of the challenges and how we can address them immediately,” Otaya said.
Josephine Acen Okullu, the District Education Officer for Amolatar, confirmed that the district education department is aware of the school’s challenges. She stated that they are waiting for the new financial year to address these issues.
Meanwhile, some parents, including Julius Okello and Catherine Acen, are calling for urgent intervention from the Amolatar District Education Department to build new classrooms and prevent the current ones from collapsing. “Our children’s safety is at risk. We urgently need new classrooms to ensure that our children can learn in a safe and healthy environment,” said Okello.
The dire situation at Agik Dak Primary School underscores the need for immediate intervention to improve the learning environment and ensure the well-being of both students and teachers. Community members, local authorities, and well-wishers are urged to step in and provide the necessary support to address these growing challenges.