Two nursery classrooms at Lima Primary School in Chukudum, Budi County, Eastern Equatoria State, have been burnt in a suspected arson attack, raising concerns over the safety and continuity of education for young learners.
The classrooms were reportedly destroyed by fire at night by an unidentified person, leaving the school’s nursery section without two learning spaces.
The incident has alarmed the local community, with concerns that the loss of classrooms could disrupt learning for children who depend on the school.
Budi County Commissioner Julius Amin said the incident was disturbing and called for a thorough investigation to establish what happened.
“This incident is alarming because it affects the learning environment of our children, especially those in the nursery section,” Amin said.
The commissioner directed the school committee to investigate the fire and work with relevant authorities to identify those responsible.
“We have directed the school committee to investigate the incident, establish the cause of the fire and identify those responsible,” he said.
The burning of the classrooms has renewed concerns about the protection of school facilities in Budi County, where communities continue to face challenges in accessing adequate education infrastructure.
For young children, the loss of learning spaces could affect attendance and the continuation of lessons if alternative classrooms are not quickly identified.
Parents and community members are now waiting for authorities to provide answers on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The cause of the fire remains unclear, and no arrests have been announced so far.
Commissioner Amin urged community members to cooperate with the investigation and provide any information that could help authorities establish the circumstances surrounding the burning.
The local authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue and efforts are made to restore the affected classrooms.
The incident highlights the need for stronger protection of schools and education facilities, particularly those serving young children in rural communities across Eastern Equatoria.