Lagwai seed students protest against teacher misconduct and poor conditions

12 November 2024, 12:30

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

Students at Lagwai Seed Secondary School in Pader district staged a protest on Saturday, 9 November 2024, citing teacher misconduct, inadequate food, and poor facilities as core concerns. The demonstration led to property damage, and the school has since temporarily sent all 725 students home to address the situation.

Head Teacher Alfred Ojok suggested the protest may have been incited by certain teachers after the school board recently reminded staff with enrolled children to clear any outstanding school fees. “Unfortunately, some teachers didn’t take the message well and stirred unrest among the students,” Ojok explained. “This reaction has now disrupted the entire school community.”

The protest began early on Saturday, reportedly sparked by students missing a meal. Stones were thrown, causing damage to the kitchen, girls’ dormitory, and other school property. Police were called to restore order. Ojok, however, suspects the meal incident served as a pretext for larger grievances among students.

“Some of these teachers have encouraged students to act out,” Ojok stated, naming some staff members. The teachers recently filed a formal complaint with Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michel Wangi, accusing Ojok of colluding with the school bursar to raise fees and of using inappropriate language with parents and staff.

Students who spoke to Rapa FM described ongoing issues with school conditions. “The dormitories are overcrowded, food quality is low, and communication from administration is poor,” said a student representative. Another student added, “We don’t always get receipts for fees paid, and without those, we’re denied meal cards.”

School Board Chair Alex Labeja acknowledged the students’ concerns and confirmed an investigation is underway. “We are taking these complaints seriously and are committed to identifying solutions,” Labeja said.

Following consultations with the District Education Officer (DEO), the school board decided to send students home for one week to allow for a thorough assessment of the situation. Parents have been invited to a meeting to discuss solutions and prevent future disruptions.

Obalim Philips Adonga, Pader District Secretary for Education, noted that such incidents are unusual in the district. “This kind of unrest is rare, and we hope this investigation restores trust between the school, students, and staff,” he commented.

Lagwai Seed Secondary School is a government-aided mixed day and boarding institution serving 725 students in Pader district.