Deplorable Gisagara school conditions: Pupils learn while standing, roofs leak, walls on verge of collapsing

Located in Kabumbwe Cell of Mamba Sector in Gisagara District, the 1962-built school has 18 classrooms, 1891 students and 25 teachers.

One of the classrooms that IGIHE reporter visited, was found to be accommodating 120 students studying in two sessions (60 in the morning and other 60 in the afternoon). This classroom has only nine desks. Some pupils carry mats from home on which they sit during the lessons. Others stand.

Teachers in the school say that congestion in classrooms is overwhelming. It is a matter of concern. Many of the walls are slant, shanty and the roofs leak.

“My classroom is so old to the extent that when it rains the roof leaks and students need to stand in one side. I teach in a class where one session has 62 children and some follow their studies while standing-up,” explains Josephine Ufitamahoro, a teacher at the school.

Another teacher, Jean de Dieu Niyomugabo, says in his classroom six students share one desk. “This inconveniences learners during the notes-taking process. We wish that the government could construct other classrooms for us and give us more desks,” he pleads.

The school head teacher, Cassien Harerimana says the school has 1891 students and 179 desks. He said that they need at least over 100 new desks for students to seat comfortably.

“We have 13 classrooms which need to be renovated. Currently, one desk meant for three is shared by over five children. We call for government support; new desks, renovation of old classrooms as well as constructing new ones,” he considers.

He says in partnership with parents, the school has begun to construct two new classrooms, but still lack enough resources.

Gisagara District Mayor, Jerome Rutaburingoga says that they are working hard to address the deplorable situation in the school; started to make new desks and will soon embark on constructing new classrooms for the school.

“We have started making new desks which we are about to hand over to the school. About the congestion, the problem will be solved in the next financial year. New classrooms will be built,” he promises.