The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has asked the Ministry of Education and Sports to investigate recent deaths of learners in schools.
She raised the concern on Tuesday following reports about the drowning of a pupil of Victorious Primary School and the hacking to death of a Primary One pupil at Jozan Nursery and Primary School in Soroti.
The concern also follows the recent death of a 16-year-old student at Seeta High School in Mukono District who was found dead in the boys’ dormitory.
In her statement, Speaker Among said that schools must take responsibility for children entrusted to them by parents.
She emphasized that teachers and administrators must take personal responsibility for the children in their care.
Brenda Namukuta, the Kaliro Woman MP noted that students die mysteriously in schools every year and called for investigations into the matter.
Jonathan Ebwalu, the Soroti West Division MP, stated that schools need to be reassessed and evaluated regarding inspections.
“I do not know what the minimum requirements for starting a school in Uganda are. There is a school with only two classrooms and no toilets,” he wondered.
John Chrysostom Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education, explained that a team from the Ministry of Education and Sports had gone to the school in Soroti and that it would provide a report.
“These cases indeed exist, and the police have begun investigations. We hope the police report will provide direction, and as a ministry, we have also agreed to improve on school inspections,” he said.
Joseph Ssewungu, the Kalungu West MP, said there is a general challenge with the administration and management of schools.
“We have a challenge; there are children as young as three years old in boarding schools. We need to revisit our minimum standards,” he said.
Ssewungu also requested that the Ministry of Education establish minimum standards for facilities like swimming pools.
John Baptist Nambeshe, the Chief Opposition Whip called on parents to work together in raising children.
He also appealed for greater recognition of men’s role in parenting and urged more effort to support fathers in this responsibility.
English 