If the first impression generated by the outward appearance of the buildings leaves cause for concern, unfortunately the interior of the classrooms does little to change this. The average classroom is about 10 metres x 10 metres and up to 100 children can be squeezed into that space for a lesson. The classrooms are basic and would certainly benefit from new desks and chairs. However, the gravest cause for concern is the structural issues affecting many of the buildings. Most of them have no central support through the roof and some have wide cracks running from foundation to ceiling. Some buildings can be repaired and some will simply need to be condemned and rebuilt. In both cases though the need is urgent as not only are these buildings unsafe in the normal course, but the Fort Portal region of Uganda lies in an earthquake zone, heightening the risk that one or more of these buildings might collapse.
