Parents and the community in Gulu District have been warned against vandalizing school property and defecating in classrooms during school holidays.
Harriet Atim, the Gulu District Education Officer describes the trend as alarming saying it is affecting learning and straining already limited school resources.
She says several schools have reported broken desks, stolen roofing materials, and human waste left in classrooms while learners are away.
Atim warns that such actions not only destroy infrastructure but also pose serious health risks to pupils when schools reopen.
School administrators say the destruction often goes unnoticed until the new term begins, forcing schools to spend money on repairs instead of buying learning materials.
A head teacher in the district who preferred not to be mentioned says cleaning and restoring classrooms delays preparations and disrupts the academic calendar.
Local leaders attribute the problem to weak community ownership, lack of security, and idleness among youth during holidays.
Atim is now calling on parents, village leaders, and school committees to take responsibility by organizing community patrols and reporting suspicious activity.
She warns that authorities are considering strict penalties against those found responsible.
Education officials say protecting schools is a shared responsibility to safeguard learners and improve education outcomes.
By Okello Jesus Ojara
Leave a Reply