The Masaka City Security Committee and the education authorities have allowed Masaka Parents Mixed Secondary School to remain open, after a fire outbreak.
The fire that broke out on Monday destroyed the senior four girls’ dormitory which was accommodating 43 students.
Shortly after the incident, several parents rushed to the school demanding to be allowed to take the students back home.
Ronald Katende Kinine, the Masaka City Resident Commissioner says that they have resolved to allow the school continues operating after a commitment from the management that they will quickly fix the situation.
He indicates that because the affected dormitory was accommodating senior four candidates who are preparing for their final examinations that begin next month, the meeting resolved that the school continues operating in order not to disrupt the students.
He says that students will continue with their normal classes as the police also carry out investigations into the incident on top of maintaining surveillance.
Reverend Brother Augustine Mugabo, the Chairperson for Association of the Secondary Schools Head teachers of Uganda-ASSHU, says that they have also considered mobilizing support from neighboring schools such that they can help the affected students to continue with lessons.
He argues that besides the candidates, the other students also lost a lot of time during the long Covid-19-induced lockdown, which would cause them more loss should the school be closed.
Sauyah Nanyonga, the school’s Headteacher indicates that they are going to provide counseling to the students to support them recover the fear raised by the incident.
According to her, unlike some students who got terrified by the fire, the teachers remained composed and are ready to continue with their studies.
She indicates that management has assigned a team that is going to assess the damage to the building, and their report will guide them on the way forward. URN