73 SCHOOLS IN NORTH LINKED TO UK

Nov 03, 2009

OVER 73 primary schools in northern Uganda are set to achieve better standards of education and infrastructure after being linked to schools in the UK by African Revival.

BY CHRIS OCOWUN

OVER 73 primary schools in northern Uganda are set to achieve better standards of education and infrastructure after being linked to schools in the UK by African Revival.

The UK-based charity organisation that provides assistance to poor communities in Africa is facilitating exchange visits for Ugandan teachers to schools in the UK aimed at improving education standards in Gulu and Amuru districts.

Justin Okot, who coordinates the school link programme at Gulu Police Primary School, says the school through its linked partner, Hinchley Wood School in UK, received sh3m, which was used to buy 135 plastic chairs, music, dance and drama instruments and costumes.

“Hinchley Wood also sent us three laptops and one projector, which we use to conduct class lessons. We also bought a printer, which helps us to print exams,” Okot explained.

Since 2007, at least eight primary school teachers in Gulu and Amuru districts have visited their partnering schools in the UK to share experiences. The children keep in touch through letter writing. The pupils’ representatives, Daniel Comboni and Brenda Atimango, said the exchange of letters has helped them improve their writing skills.

Some of the schools that have benefited from the programme are Koch Goma S.S, which received scholastic materials worth sh1,457,900, and Kaladima Primary School that received scholastic materials worth sh392,500. Alero Primary School received furniture, music costumes and equipment, sports equipment and scholastic materials worth sh1,942,600.

Five others will also benefit from a three-to-five-year holistic development programme through classroom construction and other benefits.

Juba Road Primary School in Atyak sub-county, Amuru district had two classrooms with an office and store constructed. “We also provided desks in these two classrooms, with teachers’ chairs, tables and bookshelves,” said Richard Ayella, the education programme officer of African Revival.

Pece Cubu Primary School in Gulu Municipality had a library block built with text books worth sh11m and furniture.

“We plan to construct four classrooms. We shall also dig latrines for teachers and pupils,’ Ayella said.

Joshua Jones a British youth, volunteering with African Revival and teaching at Pece Cubu Primary School said: “We encourage the UK partnering schools to fundraise for the Ugandan schools at least 350 pounds (sh1m) every year to improve on the infrastructure and communication in the schools.

Janet Auma, the senior woman teacher at the school, said they were optimistic the performance of the pupils would improve. “During the mock exams, we had two pupils in first division and we believe the future of the school is good,” she added.

School Linking Clubs have been created in all the 73 schools to allow children strengthen their international relations.

“Each school has teachers who act as patrons for the programme. Each term, we bring them together to train and develop themes in which both the Ugandan children and those from the UK participate,” Ayella said.

Given the challenges facing northern Uganda, this exchange programme is likely to improve education standards and exposure of children and teachers.

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