A total of 119 schools in Masaka City are on the brink of closure, facing potential shutdown three weeks before the commencement of the new Academic Year 2024. These schools, ranging from pre-primary to secondary levels, situated in Nyendo-Mukungwe and Kimanya–Kabonero divisions, are under scrutiny for failing to adhere to Ministry of Education guidelines.
Acting Assistant Commissioner in-charge of Standards in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr. Apollo Muhumuza, emphasized during a routine inspection on January 15 that schools listed for closure must meet specified standards, including proper structures, staff, and facilities, to operate in the new academic year.
Some of the identified issues include schools operating illegal boarding sections, utilizing illegal structures, and being situated in areas posing risks to learners’ lives. Mr. Muhumuza warned that non-compliant schools would face permanent closure unless they address the identified gaps.
Masaka City Education Officer, Mr. Steven Kakeeto, released a list of both compliant and non-compliant schools, highlighting the urgency of addressing the gaps identified during inspections. He emphasized the importance of parents avoiding sending their children to schools falling under the non-compliant category.
The inspection also revealed that some schools lack Education Management Information System (EMIS) numbers, hindering their ability to implement the lower secondary curriculum. EMIS provides essential statistics and information for policy development, planning, and evidence-based management in Uganda’s education sector.
Concerns about safety standards were raised after school fires were recorded in Masaka in 2023. Mr. Kakeeto urged schools to prioritize compliance to prevent risks associated with unlicensed establishments.
Several administrators and school proprietors expressed confidence in meeting the requirements before the new academic year. Mr. Vincent Nteza, Director at Hill View Nursery and Primary School Kitengeesa, and Ms. Agnes Nakuya, Administrator at St Paul Primary School Kabonera, assured their commitment to addressing the identified gaps.
The affected schools, spanning primary, nursery, and secondary levels, include A. Force, Brain Way, Flavefort, Green View, Hilton, Kaswa Parents, Lincon SS, City High School, and St Michael Secondary School Nakayiba, among others.
