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Schools in Amolatar Hit by Shortage of Desks

The recommended pupil-desk ratio is three pupils per desk, but some of the schools are now struggling with six pupils per desk while in other schools, the pupils sit on the floor.
An empty classroom at Angicakide Primary school in Alebtong District

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Five government-aided primary Schools in Amolatar District have been hit by a shortage of desks.  The affected schools are Aromi, Aweiwot, Aninolal, and Agikdak.

The recommended pupil-desk ratio is three pupils per desk, but some of the schools are now struggling with six pupils per desk while in other schools, the pupils sit on the floor.

At Aromi Primary School in Akwon Sub County, the school has 78 desks for a population of 650 pupils. The desks have been allocated to P.7, P.6, and P.5 classes while pupils from the other classes sit down.

Alex Obura, the headteacher says they have on many occasions written to both the district and sub-county seeking help but nothing has been done.

//Cue in: “We have desks…

Cue out: … 2022/2023 financial year.”//

At Aweiwot Primary School with a population of 650 pupils, there are 24 desks. Charles Atira the headteacher says that the desks were either stolen by members of the community while others were eaten by termites.

Atira says that because of the congestion pupils can’t concentrate in class while those that stand fail to take notes, which could affect their performance.     

Agikdak Primary school has only 119 desks for more than 1000 pupils have.  Geoffrey Beja, the headteacher says the desks have been allocated to upper classes like P.6 and P.7 but the rest of the pupils sit on the floor. 

//Cue in: “Icukul wa kan…

Cue out: … lworo latrine oko.”//

Sam Ronald Ogweng, the District Education Officer acknowledged the challenge and advised the schools to repair the broken desks.

//Cue in: “Oweko desks ame…

Cue out: … otino romo kwan.”//

The District has 76 Primary Schools spread across 11 sub-counties and 58 Parishes.

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