Father Hilders Primary School is grappling with a growing crisis of theft of school property, putting the education of its pupils at serious risk.
The head teacher, John Francis Achaun, has sounded the alarm after a disturbing incident where school desks were stolen and partially destroyed by individuals attempting to extract metal parts for sale.
Achaun revealed that just three days ago, several desks were discovered hidden behind the rock, with visible signs of damage as thieves tried to dismantle them for scrap.
“This is not just theft it’s an attack on our children’s right to education. When school property is stolen or destroyed, it’s the pupils who suffer the most,” Achaun said.
He strongly condemned the acts of theft and urged the local community to step up efforts to safeguard the school’s resources.
Achaun emphasized that protecting school property should not be the responsibility of teachers alone but a collective effort involving parents, community leaders, and residents.
“We must be vigilant and united. Our school is the heart of this community, and when we allow such theft to continue, we are failing our children,” he stressed.
Adding to the school’s woes, Achaun expressed disappointment over the low pupils turnout for the new term. Despite expecting over 500 pupils, only 89 reported on the first day.
This poor attendance, he said, delays the start of lessons and negatively impacts the school’s academic performance.
“We were fully prepared to begin classes, but with such a low turnout it will leave most pupils behind. This is one of the reasons why schools in Kampala perform better they start lessons on time because their pupils report as scheduled,” Achaun explained.
He appealed to parents to ensure their children attend school promptly and in proper uniforms, which helps in identifying students and ensuring they remain focused on their studies.
According to Achaun, uniforms not only promote discipline but also make it easier to track pupils who might leave home claiming to be going to school but end up elsewhere.
Achaun called for immediate community action to curb theft and improve school attendance.
“Our children deserve a safe and supportive learning environment. Let’s work together to protect our school, encourage timely attendance, and build a brighter future for the next generation,” he urged.
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