Soroti SS Closes Admissions as Enrollment Surpasses 6,100

Soroti Secondary School is no longer accepting new students as its total enrollment has surged past 6,152, prompting headteacher Wilfred Oluka Okeriau to close admissions. The school continues to receive around 10 inquiries daily, but the administration is compelled to turn them away to prevent further strain on existing facilities.

Mr. Oluka emphasized that the current infrastructure, including classrooms, desks, and accommodation, cannot support additional students without compromising the quality of education and student welfare. He stated, “As I talk, I receive about 10 students wanting to join the school, but I turn them away.” Urgent investment in physical infrastructure is needed to accommodate more learners effectively.

The situation is partly attributed to a decision by the school’s Parents Teachers Association (PTA) earlier this year to allow the headteacher to admit all qualifying applicants irrespective of their location. While intended to increase access, this influx revealed critical shortages in space, teaching staff, and learning materials.

In response, the school leadership is taking immediate measures, including constructing a temporary classroom and procuring 200 additional desks. A large tent will also be set up for student resting and as an extra learning space.

The PTA Chairperson, Vincent Enomu, has appealed to the government for urgent intervention, requesting that the Ministry of Education and Sports prioritize Soroti Secondary School in the national budget to address the severe infrastructure challenges and meet the growing educational needs of the Teso sub-region.

Read more: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/soroti-ss-halts-admissions-as-enrollment-hits-6-100-overwhelming-facilities-5556006