The headteacher of Teso College Aloet School in Soroti City, Julius Opasso, has raised concerns about the hazardous asbestos roofing on the school’s aging buildings. Despite repeated appeals to the government for assistance, the situation remains unresolved.
As one of the oldest educational institutions in the country and region, the school’s deteriorating structures, still topped with old asbestos roofing, endanger the health of more than 1800 students currently enrolled.
“Three-quarters of our buildings, including student dorms, staff quarters, labs, and classrooms, are affected. The presence of old asbestos poses health risks to our staff and students. Inhaling its particles can lead to asthma and other illnesses. Additionally, the smell is intolerable, especially when it rains,” expressed the headteacher.
He made these remarks on July 14, 2024 during a courtesy call meeting with of the Deputy Director General of the Internal Security Organization (ISO) Col Emmy Katabazi, who had come to watch the National Secondary Schools Ball Games II which are being held at the school from 9th to 18th July 2024.
Deputy headteacher Omara Charles joined in urging the government to honor its pledge to renovate the school, particularly the aging structures built in the 1950s but have not been renovated to today.
Back in 2014, the government pledged a significant grant of UGX 5 billion to each of nine traditional schools across the country for renovations. However, the funds were unexpectedly withdrawn, leaving the schools in a state of disrepair.
Efforts to engage the Ministries of Education, Works, and Finance have yielded no results. Ministry officials conducted assessments for infrastructural improvements, but no concrete actions have followed.
“We have written many letters to the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Works and Ministry of Finance. The team from the Ministry of Finance did an infrastructural assessment for renovation and construction of new structures but nothing has been done,” said Omara.
During the tour around the school, Col. Katabazi praised the remarkable efforts of the UPDF Engineer’s Brigade in constructing a state-of-the-art semi-Olympic-sized swimming pool on the school premises. When finished, this facility will be the first of its kind in the country.
Asbestos, which the World Health Organization (WHO) strongly discourages due to its cancer-causing properties, poses a grave risk. WHO reports approximately 107,000 annual deaths globally from asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis, affecting about 125 million people exposed to it in workplaces.
