Soroti, Uganda — Education authorities and community leaders in Arapai Sub-County are sounding the alarm over the dire state of Alilioi Community Nursery and Primary School, a local institution grappling with severe infrastructure challenges that are threatening the learning environment of its 384 pupils.
Founded by parents who sought to reduce long walking distances for their children in pursuit of education, the school was established with high hopes. However, years later, the dream of providing quality education for the community is hanging by a thread as learners continue to study under risky and inadequate conditions.
Teachers Struggling to Sustain Learners
According to Simon Peter Kosta Okello, the school’s acting head teacher, the institution is “barely sustaining” the large number of children who report for lessons. He says the situation worsens during rainy seasons, as most of the makeshift classrooms cannot withstand even moderate rainfall.
Kosta explains that the school structures — many of which are temporary and poorly built — only provide a conducive learning environment during dry weather. Once the rains begin, walls collapse, roofs leak, and teaching becomes nearly impossible.
“Despite the determination of the learners and our commitment as teachers, the environment is not favorable. We are losing morale because the buildings cannot support learning during bad weather,” Kosta lamented, noting that urgent intervention is needed to save the future of the school.
He added that though the school registered seven Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidates who sat their exams at the nearby Arabaka Primary School, the shortage of learning materials, textbooks, and basic teaching tools remains a major setback. This has forced school leaders to repeatedly appeal to political aspirants, well-wishers, and local leaders for support.
Community Failing to Raise Funds Due to Hardships
David Okello, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) chairperson, echoed similar concerns, revealing that persistent economic hardships have crippled the community’s ability to raise even the minimal development funds needed to improve the school.
He says that despite repeated calls urging each parent to contribute just Shs 5,000, many families are unable to meet the amount due to poverty and the rising cost of living.
Okello recounts how parents and teachers have tried, year after year, to put up mud-wall classroom blocks, only for them to collapse with the onset of rains. The recurring destruction has left the school stuck in a cycle of rebuilding without progress.
“We have tried our best as a community, but the structures cannot last. When the rains come, everything falls. We urgently need permanent classrooms and pit latrines to improve safety and restore dignity to the school,” Okello stressed.
He warned that if no help arrives soon, the situation may deteriorate further, exposing children to health risks and discouraging parents from sending their children to school.
A Call for Immediate Intervention
The condition of Alilioi Community School has attracted concern from education stakeholders and local leaders who fear that without intervention, hundreds of children could miss out on their fundamental right to quality education.
With the third term officially closing on Friday, 5th December 2025, school authorities worry that reopening in February 2026 for the first term will be challenging if the current issues remain unaddressed.
They are now appealing to government ministries, NGOs, development partners, corporate organizations, and philanthropic individuals to step forward and support the construction of durable classrooms, latrines, and provision of learning materials.
Community members say that investment in Alilioi School would not only boost education standards in Arapai but also support long-term socioeconomic growth by reducing dropout rates and empowering children with skills for a brighter future.
For now, teachers and pupils continue to hope that their cry will be heard before the new academic year begins.
