St Bernard School Manya Thrives Despite Tragic Fire
St Bernard’s Secondary School in Manya, located in Rakai District, has been known as one of the top schools in the region. However, in November 2018, tragedy struck when a dormitory fire claimed the lives of 10 students and injured 30 others. The cause of the fire remains a mystery.
Before the fire, the school boasted a population of 930 students and had a strong academic record. It received support from the Australia-based NGO Cotton On Foundation, which helped build a well-equipped infrastructure, including classrooms, dormitories, staff accommodation, a library, and fully equipped science laboratories.
Geoffrey Alisenghawa, the school’s headteacher, noted the school’s popularity among the locals, despite a lack of signposts. Tragically, the suspects behind the fire were believed to be expelled Senior Four students who later regrouped and allegedly set fire to the Senior Three dormitory.
A 2022 police report revealed that 17 out of 40 school fires in the country between January and June 2022 were deliberate. Most of these affected boarding sections of privately-owned schools and were linked to student disputes or unsafe practices.
Alisenghawa acknowledged that discipline had been a challenge at the school before the fire. After the incident, the school implemented stricter disciplinary measures, including involving parents in disciplinary cases.
To rebuild the school, renovations were undertaken, including improved security measures, such as the removal of burglar-proofing, a two-door policy for dormitory rooms, and the installation of fire extinguishers and detectors.
Additionally, the school implemented government-mandated safety and security guidelines, including safety committees and regular checks of students’ possessions.
Counseling was also provided to help students cope with trauma, and family groups were introduced to build trust between students and teachers.
St Bernard School Manya has made impressive strides in academics and co-curricular activities since the fire. They have achieved excellent results in national exams, excelled in sports and music, and won awards in essay competitions and skills-based projects.
The school’s remarkable recovery reflects its resilience and determination to rise from the ashes of tragedy and regain its position as a top educational institution in the Greater Masaka region.
