Kwibale Primary School launches fundraising drive

Kwibale Primary School, a government-aided school in Akokoro Sub-county, Apac district needs Shs 44 million to rehabilitate its classroom blocks.

Located in Oparamo village, Ayeolyec parish in Akokoro Sub-county, Kwibale Primary School is operating on rundown structures, with a leaking roof, broken ceiling boards, and sinks, unhygienic pit latrines, coupled with limited space.

The school since its establishment in 1960 has an enrolment of 1,103 learners; however, it has not been renovated since its establishment.

Now the school authorities have launched a fundraising drive to raise funds to be used for rehabilitation works.

Dubbed “Cement Collection Drive @ 35K Every Bag of Cement Counts,” the drive is aimed at soliciting financial support from parents and well-wishers to revamp the school.

Hudson Ogwang, the school head teacher says they lack better classrooms and toilet facilities. He said they have organized various activities through which they can raise funds.

“Currently, about 1,103 pupils in this school are learning under tree sheds with most learners answering calls of nature in the nearby bushes” Ogwal, told theCooperator in an exclusive interview on Friday.

Peter Obong Acuda, the Apac district speaker who doubles as the Akokoro Subcounty male councilor says the launch of the fundraising drive comes at a time when the district is grappling with financial challenges to run different schools in the district.

“We have 58 government-aided primary schools in Apac but I can confirm to you most of these schools are running on dilapidated structures due to inadequate funding we get from the center but with the idea of fundraising we intend to rehabilitate some of those schools,” he said.

Tom Ogwang, the Chairman School Management Committee of Kwibale Primary School says that the decision to fundraise was reached at after several attempts to seek government help to rehabilitate the school failed to bear any results.

“We wrote to DEO’s office several times but our efforts did not bear fruits. At the moment the lives of our children are at stake and we can’t wait any longer. I am appealing to the parents and well-wishers to come and support us in this course,” he said.

“We need Shs.44mln to renovate the two classrooms that are in sorrow states according to the Bill of Quantity prepared by the district engineer, others will come later,” he added.

Rogers Agard Akena, a parent at Kwibale Primary School has welcomed the idea. He says renovation of the classroom structures at this school has been long overdue and is urgent.

Apac District Education Officer Bosco Elyak said, “Many schools are operating on rundown structures and this does not only affect the performance of the pupils but puts the lives of the occupants at risk since the rainy season has set in.”

The government has no direct budget line to rehabilitate schools, it requires the efforts of both the parents and the stakeholders, an official said.

https://thecooperator.news/8-alebtong-schools-request-for-government-intervention/

Buy your copy of theCooperator magazine from one of our countrywide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news