By Emmanuel Olinga
St. Stephen Senior Secondary School, located in the heart of Katakwi Town Council, Katakwi District, is seeking more than Ugx 50 million to complete the construction of a multipurpose hall and address the ongoing shortage of classrooms and staff housing.
According to the school’s headteacher, James Stephen Engole, the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) made a remarkable effort by initiating and funding the construction of a multipurpose hall now at the roofing level.
The project, which has so far cost Ugx 31 million, still requires an additional Ugx 50 million to complete.
Engole noted that the school’s infrastructure is increasingly strained due to a growing student population of about 500 learners.
He explained that the school lacks enough classrooms and staff accommodation, forcing teachers to rent outside the school premises, a situation that disrupts the smooth running of academic programs.
“Because of the limited infrastructure, we have resorted to hiring tents to serve as temporary classrooms,” Engole said.
According to the financial report presented by the school bursar, Immaculate Acom, St. Stephen SSS received a capitation grant of Ugx 95,033,000 from the government and Ugx 185,426,000 in PTA collections over two terms.
However, Acom expressed concern over the high rate of school fee defaulting, revealing that parents still owe the school Ugx 47,077,000, which could otherwise support crucial development projects.
The school’s laboratory assistant, Cyrus Ekunyuk, commended the institution for having a well-equipped science laboratory but lamented the shortage of laboratory space.
“Even though we have the necessary apparatus, I’m forced to move the equipment to classrooms for every practical lesson because the laboratory cannot accommodate all the learners,” Ekunyuk said.
The PTA chairperson, Charles Osekeny, appealed to parents to promptly pay school fees and urged the government to step in to improve the school’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Joseph Elungat, a member of the Board of Governors (BoG) and chairperson of the disciplinary committee, and Sadoki Akutu, LCIII chairperson of Katakwi Town Council, blamed the problem of nonpayment on political interference.
They alleged that some politicians mislead parents into believing that the government covers all school expenses, discouraging them from paying fees or contributing to development funds.
The Inspector of Schools for Katakwi District, John Bosco Okiror, who officiated as chief guest during the school’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), acknowledged the challenges faced by the education department, citing the limited funds received through the central government’s capitation grant.
“As a department, we are constrained because the capitation grant is sent from the central government, but we shall submit a report highlighting the urgent need for additional structures at St. Stephen SSS,” Okiror assured.
On his part, Geoffrey Omolo, the Katakwi District LCV Chairperson, condemned the actions of politicians who threaten or misguide parents about school payments.
He clarified that the district’s education budget primarily covers primary schools, while funding for secondary schools is handled by the central government.
Established in 2001 by St. Stephen Catholic Parish and managed under the Soroti Catholic Diocese, St. Stephen SSS became a government-aided institution in 2018. However, since its takeover, its structural development has stagnated, leaving the school dependent on PTA contributions for essential projects.
Currently, the school operates on an annual budget of approximately Ugx 95.5 million to facilitate operations such as administration and co-curricular activities.
Through PTA collections, the school has raised Ugx 187 million in the past two terms, which has been used to construct the multipurpose hall, pay PTA-funded teachers, and purchase food for students.
Despite these achievements, school leaders stress that completing the multipurpose hall and expanding classroom space remain top priorities to provide a better learning environment for students.
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