AUTHORITIES IN ARUA CITY WARN OF TOUGH ACTIONS OVER OPENING ILLEGAL SCHOOLS

Kyansanku David, Arua City Clerk responding during an interview.

By Godwin Abedican
 
Arua City
 
Education authorities in Arua city are warning the public against illegal establishment of educations institutions that do not conform to the standards needed.
 
According to part 7 sub sections 31 to 32 of the education act 2008, “any person or community or organization desirous of establishing a private education institution shall apply to the permanent secretary which in this case is the city clerk to be approved as suitable to do the same for pre-primary, primary and post primary institutions having a good repute with the necessary funds to manage the institution to be established,”
 
Kyansanku David, the City Clerk Arua says that, his office won’t allow such to happen given the adverse effects it has.
 
“It’s not proper and it’s against law. You dont wake up from your sleep and say I want to start a school. Schools have standards. Even if it’s for young children. If you don’t have space for learning, space for classrooms and space for sanitation facilities as measured by government standards, how do you start a school? I think right away, those planning to  open up schools in buildings or houses and in shops that do not have council approval, without the knowledge of council, without the authentication of council, without the verification of council, I would like to tell you straight away, don’t try, don’t start, “he emphasized.
 
“Don’t wake up because you have a room or a shop and begin a school. We don’t want that for our children. Let Arua not see and copy what is happening elsewhere where schools are spread all over. In Arua we have space, we can negotiate with land owners and have better schools because we deserve better,” the Town Clerk added.
 
He further says that as the Town Clerk, he would advise that those establishing new schools can start small but better, warning that, those who shall be found operating illegally shall have their school closed, arrested and prosecuted.
 
Buza Zilly, the Senior Inspector of Schools Arua City is therefore calling for the is safety for learners.
 
“We are guided by laws, regulations and policies when it comes to establishment of learning institutions. But we have seen and heard of many community members of the public who are establishing schools. I want to inform the community and public that we are swinging into action. These schools have not been permitted. Their structures where they are located have never been approved by the authority in place. They should wait for us to close their schools officially,” she warned.
 
“We want to request the community members to report to us such, schools so that in case they survive during the reopening of the schools, once the new academic year opens immediately, we will just close them,” Buza urged.
 
Moses Ogutu, the Physical Planner Arua City says that it is countrywide challenge but they need to ensure that they do their part to contain that, calling upon all those intending to have schools to make proper consultations with the Physical development Planning department of the city.
 
“People are turning commercial houses into institutions which isn’t right. When we come up with a Physical Development Plan like the one that we are currently using, all the departments of the city are supposed to align their development plans based on the physical development plan of the city. So, if there is any one intending to establish an institution, he or she is guided by the education department based on the city development plan. We do not allow institution’s to be established anywhere and anyhow. Schools that are mushrooming in shops and people’s houses are illegal and we shall do our parts of having them closed,” he said.
 
According to him, these are the situations that have often led to cases of administrators running away with people’s monies for national exams exposing the learners to dangers of failing to sit for exams.
 
Matata John Bosco, the Head Teacher Vianney Nursery and Primary school in Yapi cell says last year, the inspection team gave them some conditions that they are working to fulfil.
 
“Last year we were given conditions and we fulfilled everything. There is nothing which we have not done. This year we have also thought very far we are doing other things including constructions of classes and latrines. They have been coming here for inspection telling us to improve in certain areas. They checked the documents of our teachers, the cooks medically and I think we qualify to exist,” he said during an interview.  
 
Despite the numerous learning institutions springing up, records from the inspector of schools in the city indicate that only three proprietors or schools have been permitted to establish private schools in the city this year and continue with advertisements and admission of learners.
 
Last year Arua city education department recommended for the closure of more than 10 schools but one is said to have persisted to operate illegally.
 
 
The law requires an applicant to be of good repute with the necessary funds to manage the institution to be established, seek advice and approval in the plication through the office of ten city clerk
 
According to a research done by Arua city Physical planning and education committees, 75.3 percent of children in Arua city attend school, 24.7 percent do not go to school because they lack school fees, 29.8 percent lack scholastic materials, 20 percent lack uniforms, 16.2 percent lack exams fees, 12 percent lack transport and 8.6 say schools are far.
 
Based on the above, recommendations were hence made that in line with the 2023-2040 Physical Development Plan of the city, the existing and already established institutions must be maintained and new primary schools can only be established in some cells or villages  of Ndriba, Ocolini, Nyai, Bunyu, Okavu, Ocevu, Eko-Ayiko, Aiivu, Ewafala and Yiba.
 
Meanwhile, it was also approved that only Apu-central, Ayibiri, Ego-Ayiko, Endru and Adravu wards are where new Secondary schools can be established and Vocational institutions can only be established in Aliso, Alivu, Andiku, Ajiriva, Aiivu, Pajulu, Oliva, Alivu, Pangawa and Ewafala.
 
With only Etiwa cell approved for the establishment of a Special needs learning center.