Lira City, Uganda: Authorities in Lira City are considering shutting down Al-Aaqsa Islamic School following a classroom collapse that left learners injured and exposed serious concerns over the safety of school infrastructure.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at around 12:55 PM during a lesson, when part of the classroom ceiling and a supporting beam suddenly gave way, triggering panic among learners who scrambled to escape.
“We just heard a loud cracking sound, and suddenly dust and debris started falling. The children ran in all directions. It was a moment of real fear,” a witness at the school recounted.
According to Deputy Head Teacher Holga Anyango, two learners sustained injuries in the chaos that followed. “The learners panicked and rushed out of the classroom. In the process, two of them got hurt—one had a nosebleed and another sustained minor injuries,” she said.
The injured learners were rushed to Lira Regional Referral Hospital, where they received treatment and were later reported to be in stable condition.
Lira City Education Officer Jane Obeny described the incident as alarming, warning that the structural integrity of the building is questionable. “What we have seen is worrying. The structure appears unsafe, and there is a high risk that it could collapse again if no urgent action is taken,” Obeny said.
She revealed that engineers have been tasked with conducting a comprehensive structural assessment, which will guide the final decision on whether the school will be closed.
“We cannot take chances with the lives of learners. Once we receive the technical report, we shall determine the next course of action, including the possible closure of the school,” she added.
In response to the incident, Lira City authorities have ordered inspections of all school buildings, warning that any unsafe structures will face demolition. “We are going to inspect all schools within the city. Any structure that does not meet safety standards will be recommended for demolition. The safety of our children must come first,” Obeny emphasized.
Meanwhile, police have launched investigations into the cause of the collapse, with preliminary suspicions pointing to structural weakness or poor construction standards.
The incident has also drawn concern from parents, who questioned how such a potentially dangerous building was allowed to operate.
“It is disturbing that our children are studying in buildings that can collapse at any time,” said Mr Adwek Sam, a parent. “We entrust schools with their safety, but incidents like this shake that trust.”
The collapse has reignited concerns about the condition of learning facilities, particularly in rapidly expanding urban areas where enforcement of construction standards is often inconsistent.
Education officials say the incident serves as a warning that safety inspections must be prioritised to prevent future tragedies.
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