A community Primary School in Abako Sub County, Alebtong District has not opened its doors to learners over failure to clear a debt.
Awekiparo Primary School was constructed in 2013 by the community in memory of 59 people massacred by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). An agreement was reached between the community members and three residents Mary Ogei, Samuel Okello, and Joel Ouni who offered five acres of land on which the school sits
Back then, the community had agreed to pay 18 Million Shillings to Ouni, 15 Million to Okello, and 7.5 Million to Mary Ogei for the land. However, the community members are yet to pay the money.
On Monday and the subsequent days, learners who had reported were turned away by the owners of the land.
Ogei, one of the landowners who is frustrated by the delayed payment says her children pressured her into demanding payment because the remaining piece of land is too small to accommodate the entire family.
Okello, says it was his father’s wish to give the school land for construction. Okello wants the school to open to enable his five children to resume studies while compensation follows later.
Levi A. Opio Kizza, the headteacher says that he is optimistic that the parents will raise the money to clear the debt.
Meanwhile, some parents of the school want normal lessons to resume and the school taken over by the government.
John Baptist Opua, the Sub County Secretary for Education and Health says that they will call for an emergency meeting between the land owners and community members and discuss reopening the school while community members raise money to clear the debt.
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