PM Mbabazi tips on quality education

By Vision Reporter

Teachers should focus on preparing learners to be capable of meeting the demands of the fast changing world as we progress in the 21st century, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has said.

Mbabazi said the key priority of developing independent learners who are both academically competent and developed in character is lacking in many schools.

The Premier made the remarks on Monday while presiding over the celebrations to mark 40 years of Girls ‘education at Bishop Kivengere Girls’ school, Muyebe in Kabale District.

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Mbabazi greets the school's first headmistress Liz Trail during the 40th school anniversary celebrations

This girls’ school was founded in 1974 by the late Bishop Festo Kivengere and his wife Merab Kivengere to address the imbalance in the education system at the time which did not favour the girls.

According to the first school headmistress Elizabeth Trail, 1,846 girls sat for their primary leaving examinations in 1973 in the Kigezi region but only 100 places were available for their secondary education.

“I am pleased note that this school is laying a foundation for holistic development of girls in academics and other areas of life,” Mbabazi said adding that leaders have a responsibility to uplift the education standards in the country.

Mbabazi said the country is now fast tracking the skilling Uganda programme to replace the outdated education system inherited from the colonial masters which does not prepare learners to be job creators.

“That certificate or grade is simply assign that you have been prepared enough to begin the real lessons of life,” Mbabazi told the students adding that he is disturbed when exam results are published in the press and he fails to trace Kigezi schools among the best in the country.

Mbabazi announced a contribution of sh30m from President Yoweri Museveni towards the construction of a multi-purpose hall and another 10 million from his family.

About sh60m was realized in cash and pledges for the multipurpose hall expected to cost sh3b.

The Chairman school board of governors, Rev. Canon Tirwomwe expressed concern about government failure to support the school’s development since its inception.

 He said that the A-level school with 400 girls only receives support from parents and donors, something the Prime Minister promised to follow up with the minister of education & sports.

The celebrations were also attended by the Bishop of Kigezi Diocese, George Bagamuhunda, Kabale Vice-LCV Chairperson Mary Bebwajuba, old girls, daughters of the Late Bishop Kivengere religious leaders and friends of the school.