By James Alomu

SOROTI  - Soroti Secondary School, which is currently home to over 4,000 students, is facing severe overcrowding and infrastructure shortages that have placed immense pressure on the school’s resources. As the student population continues to grow, the need for additional classrooms, better facilities, and improved accommodation has become more urgent. The school’s leadership has now called for immediate government intervention, and Minister for Teso Affairs, Kenneth Ongalo Obote, has assured them that help is on the way.

During a recent visit to the school, headteacher Alfred Oluka Akeriu highlighted the critical challenges faced by the institution. With classrooms overflowing, some students have been forced to study outdoors under trees. This situation has become even more concerning as the school struggles to accommodate the growing number of students, leaving many without a proper place to learn.

“The infrastructure crisis here is real. Our students are studying in overcrowded classrooms, and some are forced to learn in the open,” Akeriu said. “The growing number of students requires immediate attention from both the local and national governments.”

In addition to the overcrowding, the school is also grappling with a lack of adequate facilities. The absence of a dedicated sick bay, for example, has been a particular concern. Akeriu reminded Minister Ongalo of a pledge made during a previous visit — a 10 million shilling donation towards the construction of a much-needed sick bay for the school. The headteacher urged the minister to ensure that the promise is fulfilled without further delay.

Vincent Enomu, the Chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), echoed Akeriu’s concerns, emphasizing the dire need for additional resources to address the school’s accommodation challenges. “With a population of over 4,000 students, we simply cannot continue to manage with the current infrastructure. Our children deserve better,” Enomu said.

The lack of a school bus has also been a significant challenge, especially for extracurricular activities and educational trips. Akeriu appealed to Minister Ongalo to ensure that the pledge made by President Yoweri Museveni for a school bus is fulfilled, as it would significantly improve transportation for students.

In response to these pressing concerns, Minister Kenneth Ongalo Obote, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Kalaki, expressed his commitment to addressing the school’s challenges. “I understand the difficulties Soroti Secondary School is facing, and I am committed to fulfilling the pledges that have been made,” Minister Ongalo assured the school leadership.

Ongalo confirmed that he would write to President Museveni to remind him of the school bus pledge and ensure the 10 million shillings for the sick bay is provided. “I will also prioritize the procurement of iron sheets for the construction of new classrooms to help alleviate the overcrowding,” he added.

The minister further committed to lobbying for an additional five million shillings from his office to support the school’s development. Additionally, Ongalo announced that he would provide 400 iron sheets for the construction of new classroom blocks. “These iron sheets will be vital in addressing the accommodation crisis. I will work with the school to ensure these resources are used effectively,” he said.

The minister’s promises have been met with cautious optimism by the school’s leadership and the PTA. While the relief promised by Minister Ongalo is seen as a step in the right direction, the school’s current situation remains urgent. The ongoing overcrowding and lack of basic infrastructure continue to hinder the learning experience for students, and many are hoping that the pledges made by the minister will be delivered as soon as possible.

“For our students to thrive, we need to provide them with a conducive learning environment,” said Akeriu. “The support from the minister is a ray of hope, but we need action now.”

As the election season approaches, the fulfillment of these promises will be closely watched by the Soroti Secondary School community. The hope is that these commitments will not remain unfulfilled and that the necessary resources will be provided to meet the school’s growing needs.

For now, the Soroti Secondary School community remains hopeful that the government will deliver on its promises and allow the students to continue their education in an environment that fosters learning, safety, and growth.