Buyende School’s grass-thatched dormitory leaves students sleepless during rainy season

Buyende, (UG):- Female students at Buyende Seed Secondary School, in eastern Uganda’s Buyende district, are grappling with a significant challenge that is impacting their education and well-being.

The absence of proper dormitory facilities has forced these students to seek alternative accommodation, often renting grass-thatched huts nearby. This situation has become particularly dire during the rainy season, leaving many students sleepless and vulnerable.

The influx of students from distant areas within the district, combined with the lack of boarding services in government schools, has exacerbated the accommodation crisis at Buyende Seed Secondary School.

As a result, many learners, primarily female, find themselves in a precarious situation, struggling to secure safe and comfortable living spaces conducive to learning.

According to students, the rental prices for these grass-thatched dormitories range from 10,000 to 12,000 Ugandan shillings. However, these makeshift dormitories lack essential amenities such as proper lighting, making them unsafe, especially during the night.

Students also express concerns about the vulnerability of these structures to potential attacks from outsiders, adding to their sense of insecurity.

Way Forward

To address this pressing issue, some staff quarters at the school have been converted into temporary dormitories. While this initiative provides a stopgap solution, it is not sustainable in the long run and does not adequately meet the student’s needs for safe and suitable accommodation.

District education officials are now calling upon the government to intervene and construct proper dormitory facilities outside the school premises. This move is crucial to ensure that all students, especially female learners, have access to secure and conducive living environments that promote their educational success and overall well-being.

Mr Dison Wire, the District Education Officer (DEO), emphasizes the urgent need for government support in providing dormitories for the students. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of enhancing educational infrastructure and creating a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally.

The plea from Buyende Seed Secondary School highlights the critical importance of addressing infrastructure gaps in education, particularly in rural areas, to ensure that every student has equal opportunities and a conducive learning environment.