The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has charged two teachers of Lubiri High School with Neglect to Prevent a Felony, C/S 389 of the Penal Code.
The teachers are identified as Mr. Joseph Nsubuga and Ms. Lydia Nabakka.
The CID instituted inquiries into acts of indecent practice, exhibited by students of Lubiri High School, in a bus while returning from a field trip in Jinja, on 10.06.2022.
Fred Enanga the police spokesman says that the students’ actions were known to the public through a video footage which went viral.
He added that following legal guidance from the DPP, it was established that there was lack of enough supervision by the teachers during the field trip.
“As a result, we are recommending to the school management, the immediate suspension of responsible students who participated in the indecent behaviour and those who recorded and posted the videos on social media,” says Enanga.
He says that this will act as a lesson to other students in school, to behave in a more responsible manner.
Upon their return to school, the students will receive counselling from probation officers in charge of the area, on appropriate behaviour and how to refocus their attention on learning.
According to Enanga, the investigators also established that the bus carried 73 students, which was more than the sitting capacity of 67 students.
“Although, the driver did not solicit the number of students, which is excusable, it was not appropriate for the school to assign only two teachers, who failed to properly supervise the bus activities”.
He says that all teachers charged with the duty of superintending students in school must exercise reasonable supervision over them and the attendant circumstances.
In this instance, instead of warning the students, they left them to behave in an egregious and unsafe manner.
To the school administrators, the acts above exposed the students to her vigilance. Remember when parents bring their children to school, the school management must ensure they are safe.
“As we conclude, we call upon all schools, to take all necessary steps to ensure robust and reliable systems for preventing, reporting indiscipline, abuse, neglect of students and transparent dialogue with all stakeholders, especially parents and guardians.”
“Once again, the Police strongly condemn all acts of lawlessness, indiscipline and inappropriate behaviour in schools due to the negative impact it causes students, parents and teachers. We will, therefore, continue to hold persons who expose students to danger accountable,” said Enanga.
