JINJA, UGANDA: Wanyange Girls’ Secondary School has suspended at least 17 students and 2 staff members for allegedly sneaking mobile phones into the school dormitories.
The school administration confirmed the development on Saturday afternoon without divulging further details on the incident.
“It’s true we suspended some students but I cannot give you details on the phone because my bosses prohibit it,’’ the head teacher Ms Deborah Basekanakyo said briefly in a phone conversation.
A source on the school’s disciplinary committee told this publication that the affected students were found with mobile phones they had apparently kept with some teachers and guards after use.
“The students, majority of whom are in Senior Four, were allegedly using the phones to communicate with boyfriends,” the source said noting that the suspended staff include one security guard.
Four of the 17 students have been given indefinite suspensions and asked to only return to sit for their final (UNEB) examinations under stringent conditions, while the rest have been handed a three weeks ban away from the school.
“The four must be escorted by their parents each day they come to sit for their final exams,” the source acclaimed.
Each of the suspended students has also been ordered to clear any outstanding fees balances despite being away from school for the next three weeks or more.
Opposed to the suspension, the Jinja City Education officer, Ms Amina Mutesi described the decision as “harsh to both students and their parents paying school fees.”
‘’I am not happy with the head teacher’s ultimate suspension of these students over this minor issue that ought to attract caution given hurdles parents go through to pay school fees,’’ Ms Mutesi said.
According to her, attempts to have the head teacher rescind her decision had fallen on deaf ears.
“I am in the process of putting communication in writing- asking the head teacher to cancel the suspension before pushing the matter to her bosses in the Education Ministry if there is no response,” she emphasized.
Nearly all learning institutions in Uganda prohibit phone usage by students in school premises.
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