Nyakinama Seed School Students Face Exam Peril over Unpaid Fees, Denied Meals in Kisoro

KISORO – Students at Nyakinama Seed School, a government institution in Kisoro district, are facing the imminent risk of missing their end-of-term three examinations due to unpaid school fees.

Nyakinama Seed School is one of the four seed schools recently constructed by the Ugandan government at a cost of Ugx 2.3 Billion. It commenced operations in February of this year, currently accommodating senior one, two and three students.

During the inauguration ceremony in March of the preceding year, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, the State Minister for Gender, Labor, and Social Development, representing Education Minister Hon Janet Museveni, expressed the school’s potential to provide education opportunities for many students in the region.

In an unexpected turn of events, senior three students are now voicing their concerns, asserting that they are at the brink of missing their end-of-term examinations due to delayed payment of school fees. As a consequence, students claim to have been deprived of meals for nearly a week.

Yesterday, the students took matters into their own hands by protesting at the office of the Deputy Resident District Commissioner, accusing the school administration of neglecting their predicament. According to the school’s head prefect, Ivan Iraguha, all senior three students have been denied access to food owing to outstanding school fees. Victoria Kushemererwa, the school’s head girl, alleges that Deputy Head Teacher Ayebare Emmanuel Biganja has intimidated them, threatening not to allow senior three students to participate in the end-of-term three examinations.

CUE IN HEAD PREFECT AND GIRL……VOX POP…….ENG//

In response to the students’ grievances, the school head teacher, Mukiibi Abdu, stated that the students made an incorrect decision by not approaching his office for resolution if the deputy head failed to address their concerns. Abdu called on the students to initiate peace talks as a unified school family. However, Deputy Head Teacher Ayebare Emmanuel Biganja denied any involvement in the decision to withhold food from the students, attributing it to the teacher on duty.

CUE IN ABDU AND EMMANUEL….. VOX POP……ENG//

In an effort to resolve the escalating issue, DRDC Robert Tukamuhebwa and LC5 Chairperson of Kisoro district, Abel Bizimana, urged the school authorities to ensure that students are allowed to take their examinations, considering them as pioneers of the school.

They proposed that any remaining balances in school fees be settled afterward, allowing the students to continue with their studies. Additionally, they advised the school management to convene a meeting with parents and guardians to address challenges related to meals and find a collective solution.

CUE IN DRDC AND LC5…..VOXPOP……RR//