Kampala — SIX pupils of Damatira Primary School in Balla sub-county, Apac district, sustained injuries when a storm blew off the roofs of 11 classrooms recently.

The storm also demolished seven teachers' houses, including the head teacher's, as well as a Catholic and Anglican church.

Remis Ogwang, the head teacher, told The New Vision that the downpour also destroyed text books and other scholastic materials that were in the staffroom. Ogwang's office as well as his deputy's, were also affected. The offices are estimated to have cost over sh16m.

"The fate of 1,177 pupils hangs in the balance as some teachers have left the school due to lack of accommodation. We have only five classrooms left, which hinders effective learning," Ogwang says.

Anthony Ebong, the school management committee chairperson, says they have appealed to district authorities to set up temporary structures, but no construction has taken place.

"Although parents have decided that each family contributes sh5,000 and 10 bricks for the construction of teachers houses, there is still a problem on how we are going to rehabilitate the classrooms.

"We are appealing to the district to come to our rescue," Ebong says.

Billy Okunyu, the district education officer, says the district does not have funds to roof the classrooms.

He says they are collaborating with non-governmental organisations and Good Samaritans to reconstruct the classrooms.

Okunyu has called upon parents to assist in reconstruction as well as provide their children with basic requirements.

Thomas Ogwang, the LC3 chairperson, says they are working round-the-clock to ensure that the classrooms are fixed and education resumes.

"We are calling upon the Government to roof the classrooms," Ogwang says.

Some parents suspect that one of them (parents), who is involved in a land wrangle with the school, sent evil spirits that wrecked havoc. The suspect was evicted from the land recently.