Gulu I The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (DRCC) for Laroo-Pece Division, Peter Banya, has ordered the immediate suspension of the chairpersons of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) and the School Management Committee (SMC) of Laroo Primary School for allegedly running the school illegally.
During a crisis meeting convened by Banya at the school on Tuesday June 16, it emerged that SMC chairperson Paul Oyat and PTA chairperson Geoffrey Zaake Opiyo had continued serving in their positions despite the expiry of their terms. They were also faulted for failing to organise Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
Banya said the two committees bear responsibility for the long-standing problems at the school, arguing that they allowed several head teachers to mismanage the institution under their watch without providing proper guidance.
The meeting, which had been called to address concerns about the mismanagement affecting the education of children with disabilities, later exposed broader issues of irresponsibility, illegal operations, and poor financial accountability at the school.
Last week, Denis Ocen Lakwonyero, the city councillor representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), was shocked to find hearing-impaired pupils in lower classes studying under a tree while their classrooms had been rented out. His findings attracted the attention of top city leaders, prompting immediate intervention.
Investigations revealed that two blocks comprising eight special-needs classrooms were rented to Green Globe Institute of Applied Sciences in 2024 under a renewable two-year contract. According to the memorandum of understanding signed by the former head teacher, the SMC chairperson, and Green Globe Institute of Applied Sciences, the institute was required to pay monthly rent of shs400,000, maintain cleanliness of the compound, contribute to water and electricity bills, make the premises hospitable, and use part of the school land for demonstration gardening.
However, the contract expired in February 2026. The institute’s principal, Edward Nyeko, has since appealed to authorities to allow them to continue occupying the premises.
He argued that the classroom blocks had been abandoned and were lying idle due to the school’s inability to utilize them effectively.
“It is unfortunate that Green Globe is being seen as part of the problem affecting special-needs education at Laroo Primary School. We apologise. Our intention was to cooperate with the school as happens in many other schools.
“We did not come in bad faith and we have no intention of taking anything away from Laroo P/S. We request to be allowed to continue operating as we await inspection. The decision on whether we stay or leave is entirely in your hands,” Nyeko pleaded.
Banya said the presence of Green Globe Institute of Applied Sciences was not the major concern. Instead, he questioned how the money collected from the rental arrangement had been utilized, raising suspicion of possible corruption.
“You people (the PTA and SMC chairpersons) are dismissed with immediate effect. How could you allow this situation to continue for so long? You no longer have the authority to hold meetings or make decisions on behalf of the school,” Banya ordered.
He further noted what he described as a pattern of corruption in the city’s education department, particularly in the allocation of development projects.
According to him, projects are repeatedly directed to schools located along major roads and in open areas to create a good public image, while many struggling schools are neglected.
Gulu City Senior Inspector of Schools, Grace Fiona Atim, agreed that there is bias in project allocation despite her repeated reports and recommendations regarding the condition of the city’s 41 public schools.
“We have serious challenges in the education department. Funds are always being allocated to already capable schools such as Kasubi Central Primary School. Our focus seems to be on impressing the public through schools located along major roads. I am not even allowed to participate in inspection and project allocation meetings.
“The last time I attended such a meeting was in 2022. I believe the City Education Officer and the Town Clerk should explain what is happening,” Atim said.
According to Banya, there is clear evidence of corruption within the city administration, and its impact goes beyond special-needs education. He vowed to work with the new city leadership to address the problem. He also applauded councillor Lakwonyero for exposing the plight of the special-needs learners.
Statistics presented during the meeting showed that Laroo Primary School receives approximately shs4 million in Universal Primary Education (UPE) funds and shs1.7 million in subvention grants each term. The school also collects an average of shs13 million per term from PTA fees and other charges.
The school currently has an enrolment of 311 pupils, 48 are special need pupils. Learners in Primary One to Primary Three pay shs84,200 per term, those in Primary Four to Primary Six pay shs94,200, while Primary Seven candidates pay shs171,400. Pupils in the boarding section pay an additional shs100,000, excluding food and other requirements.
Laroo Primary School has 21 teachers, including eight special-needs teachers, and seven support staff.
To make matters worse, most of the special needs teachers are demanding transfers and other seeking early retirement, decisions arising from harsh treatment and poor working conditions they have been reduced to.
Area councillor for Laroo-Pece division, Jino Kinyera Stephen, alleged that the new head teacher, Ambrose Ayo, is being remotely controlled. He further claimed that the SMC, PTA, and city education officials have failed to organize an Annual General Meeting since 2023, when the last one was held.
In his defense, head teacher Ambrose Ayo said he inherited the school while it was heavily indebted. He explained that the money received from Green Globe Institute of Applied Sciences has been used to clear debts and pay support staff salaries.
He maintained that the school has enough classrooms for both regular learners and children with special needs. However, many of the classroom blocks are in a dilapidated state because the school has not benefited from development projects funded by Gulu City Council for many years.
He added that if the revenue generated from the partnership with Green Globe Institute of Applied Sciences is invested in renovating old structures, the school will be able to adequately accommodate learners with special needs.
Meanwhile, SMC chairperson Paul Oyat accepted to step down immediately, while PTA chairperson Geoffrey Zaake Opiyo also acknowledged that his term had expired and expressed willingness to leave office to allow new leadership to take over.
Banya directed the immediate formation of a committee comprising technical staff, elected leaders, and representatives of persons with disabilities to oversee the renovation of learning facilities, especially classrooms for special-needs learners. The committee will also investigate and track the funds received from Green Globe Institute of Applied Sciences.
He further instructed the city education officer responsible for special-needs education, Opira Charles Christopher to prepare a detailed report for submission to the City Clerk and City Council.
The report should recommend that priority development projects be directed to Laroo Primary School, which Banya described as being in a “sorrowful state” and in need of a complete overhaul. The commissioner has thus called for a general staff meeting scheduled to take place on Friday June 19.
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