Educationists in Lango call for urgent installation of lightning arrestors in schools

30 April 2026, 3:54 pm

By Winnie Auma

A section of educationists in the Lango sub-region has renewed calls for schools to install lightning arrestors during the rainy season, citing growing safety concerns for learners and teachers.

The appeal follows a tragic incident at Global View Primary School in Kamdini Sub-county, Oyam District, where a teacher was killed after lightning struck the school.

The strike also left 16 pupils injured, raising alarm among education stakeholders about the safety of school environments during storms.

The Oyam District Inspector of Schools, Janet Achol, noted that while most government schools have installed lightning arrestors, many private institutions are operating without them despite it being a mandatory safety requirement.

She warned that the district education team is planning an operation to crack down on non-compliant schools, with possible closures for those found operating illegally.

In Lira District, School Inspector Patrick Olwit Ogwang acknowledged that the problem is not limited to private institutions.

He revealed that some government schools particularly older, traditional structures also lack lightning protection systems, putting lives at risk. However, he assured the public that district leadership is aware of the gaps and is working to address them.

Meanwhile, in Otuke District, Education Officer Lucy Achieng attributed the shortage of lightning arrestors to gaps during earlier construction phases, where such safety measures were not provided by the government.

She explained that newer school buildings are now being fitted with lightning arrestors, and efforts are underway to install them in older structures during renovations.

This follows several lightning-related incidents recorded in the 2022/2023 financial year.Conclusion:As the rainy season nears, education authorities across Lango are under increasing pressure to prioritize the installation of lightning arrestors in all schools.

Stakeholders warn that without urgent action, more lives could be at risk, making compliance with safety standards not just a legal requirement but a critical necessity for protecting learners and teachers.

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