Gure: We need more classrooms, schools

MORE schools and classrooms should be built to support the tuition fee free (TFF) policy, Rigo MP Lekwa Gure says.
Gure told parliament during grievance debate that as wonderful as the TFF policy was, it was also causing many issues that was affecting the quality of education.
“TFF is a good policy and is a relief for many parents, but as a result of the TFF policy, we now have many children enrolling in schools, which is wonderful but has also overcrowded the classrooms,” he said.
“We now have 60 to 70 students to one teacher ratio, which increases the workload of teachers and the quality drops.
“Students are sitting three to a desk, and this is happening across the country and even in the National Capital District.”
Gure said the provincial governments should build more classrooms to support the Government policy.
“There should also be clarification on who is responsible for what schools,” Gure said.
“Like MPs should be responsible for community, elementary and primary schools while the governors can be responsible for high schools, secondary schools and colleges.”
Gure said that providing TFF and building classrooms to cater for the increase in enrolment was one side of the coin but in order to deliver quality education, the other side of the coin should also be addressed which were teachers.
“Teacher absenteeism is become common in schools, especially in the rural areas but many of these teachers are actually in town to chase after their salaries, their postings or their leave fares,” Gure claimed
“We have to start looking after teachers if we want quality education of our students.”