By Weswa Ronnie
BUDADIRI
Parents of Budadiri Girls Secondary School located in Budadiri Town Council in Sironko district have disbanded the Parent’s Teachers Association (PTA).
The angry parents disbanded the PTA on Saturday, 11th March, 2023 during the parent’s annual general meeting held at the school premises.
The PTA Board that had stayed in existence for eight years was disbanded over allegations of conniving with the former head teacher to embezzle over Shs16million.
Ministry of education last year asked Charles Kirya, the former headmaster of Budadiri girls’ secondary school to step aside to pave way for investigation into allegations of swindling of over 16 million shillings.
Gertrude Katishabe who was the deputy was asked to care-take until investigations are complete.
On Saturday, parents disbanded the entire team of the former PTA board headed by Hennery Isaac Gibusiwa the chairperson and replaced it with new leaders.
According to Herbert Musika, the councillor representing Nalusala Sub County also secretary for social services at Sironko district local government and a parent presided over the election process of new PTA members.
He told this website that new PTA board members are; Godfrey Gudio as chairperson, Saphat Mudyadya as vice chairperson, Rose Kayinza as treasurer, Maria Nandege member, Alex Wanzala member, David Nandege member, Moses Kisombo member and Michael Namakuyu member.
While speaking to the media after the elections Musika said, these members are going to take over office immediately since the term of office of the former board expired three years back.
“According to the law, the term of office for the PTA board lasts for three years but due to covid19 outbreak, the former board had lasted for about seven years,’’ Mr Musika said.
Francis Manyaku, the LCIII Chairperson of Budadiri town council also a parent urged the new PTA board members to be transparent while carrying out their duties such that the school doesn’t go back to the mess it has been in before.
Mr Manyaku said ‘’they should work with the head teacher and represent parents well as the only way of reviving the lost glory of the school.’’
Godfrey Gudio, who was elected PTA chairperson promised to work together with head teachers and other leaders to make sure that no single money from the school is misappropriated.
He added that after Charles Kirya the former head teacher misappropriating money, the school has been gambling with paying debts like clearing over ten teachers on the PTA payroll who had taken over one year without pay, water bills among others.
‘’Since I have been given office, I’m going to make sure that I work with the head teachers to clear all the debts before the end of this year,’’ Mr Gudoi said.
Meanwhile, Isaiah Sasaga, area Member of Parliament representing Budadri East Constituency in Sironko district urged government to expedite the process of investigation such that Kirya can either be punished or refunds the money to the school.
During the same function, Sasaga donated sports girls’ uniforms and balls to students as a way of uplifting their sports talents.
Honourable Ssagaga said ‘’ I pledge to give any necessary support to the school to make sure that Budadiri girls like other pioneer schools in the district and entire region regain its lost glory’’.
Gertrude Katushabe, the head teacher asked the school neighbours and parents to own the school other than leaving it To Whom It May Concern.
She said that most of the parents and neighbours are pulling the school down indirectly by always vandalising the school fence, and not paying school dues among others which may affect girl child education in terms of performance.
