By Vicent Emong
Schools in Kumi Municipality have received a major boost after the Office of the Prime Minister of Uganda (OPM) delivered iron sheets to support the construction and roofing of teachers’ houses.
According to the Municipal Education Officer, Stella Atai, the consignment included about 160 iron sheets intended for roofing classroom blocks and teachers’ residences across several schools in the municipality.
“The materials are expected to replace old asbestos roofing and support the construction of ‘two-in-one’ and ‘four-in-one’ teachers’ housing units in Kabata, Okouba and Kumi Technical Institute,” she said.
Atai noted that the support will significantly improve accommodation for teachers, many of whom currently lack housing within school premises.
She revealed that out of about 300 teachers working in primary schools across the municipality, only 126 are accommodated within school compounds, forcing the majority to live outside the schools.
“This support will help us improve teachers’ welfare because many of them currently commute long distances to reach their workplaces,” Atai explained.
At Okouba Primary School, head teacher Francis Okello applauded the government after the school received 40 iron sheets to support its infrastructure development.
Similarly, Kabata Primary School received 100 iron sheets, which will be used to roof a four-in-one teachers’ house, according to the school’s head teacher Caroline Akello.
Akello said accommodating teachers within school premises will help strengthen supervision and reduce cases of absenteeism among staff.
“When teachers stay within the school compound, monitoring and inspection become easier. Previously, some teachers lived far away, making it difficult to track absenteeism,” she said.
While handing over the materials, the Resident District Commissioner of Kumi District, John Bosco Mubito, commended the government for its continued commitment to improving education infrastructure in the district.
He urged school administrators to ensure the iron sheets are used strictly for the intended projects aimed at improving teachers’ welfare and creating a better learning environment for pupils.
Education leaders in Kumi Municipality believe that improving teachers’ accommodation will enhance punctuality, strengthen supervision, and ultimately improve the overall performance of schools in the area.
