Students Stranded As School Relocates to Unknown Place

Rajab Mukombozi

24 May 2011

Mbarara — As schools across the country opened for second term yesterday, the fate of 450 students of Booma High School in Mbarara, remained uncertain following the school’s relocation to an unknown destination. When Daily Monitor visited the premises at the weekend, school property was being loaded onto a pick-up truck but the authorities refused to reveal where they were relocating. One of the school directors, Mr Robert Mwebaze, told Daily Monitor on telephone that they were “relocating to another place” without delving into details.

Authorities silent

The Director of Studies, Mr Willy Tumwesigye, who was part of the group carrying away the school’s property, also refused to disclose their destination. “I am not the right person to comment on the school’s next destination but what I know is we are relocating and we will begin our operations normally,” said Mr Tumwesigye.

Some former students, however, are concerned about the school’s move. “We had our documents such as pass slips with the school and now if they cannot tell us where they are relocating, how we are going to locate them?” Mr Alex Kamugisha, asked. Some parents were also bitter with the move and said the school authorities should have informed them to enable them find vacancies for their children elsewhere. Sources say the school was closed towards the end of first term by district authorities for allegedly occupying the premises illegally.

Mr Ronald Kisembo, a parent, said the school administrators assured them that the problem would be sorted out and second term would reopen normally. “We are confused now when we see them taking away their property without informing us about their next destination,” said Mr Kisembo said.

Daily Monitor has learnt that some of the students have joined various secondary schools in the district but others have been rejected. The most affected lot are Senior Four and Six candidates that had already registered at the school for the National Examinations Board exams.

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