Isingiro teachers undergo capacity building training
Participants received practical training in communication, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, conflict resolution, child protection, and violence prevention.
Joy Mugisa, the National Life Skills trainer from the Ministry of Education, trained participants who attended a three-day training held at Soweto Hotel in Isingiro Town Council. (Photos by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)
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Teachers in Isingiro district have been equipped with essential life skills during a three-day training programme.
The targeted capacity-building training for educators commenced on Tuesday at Soweto Hall in town council, drawing representatives from 18 secondary schools supported by the Uganda Secondary Education Improvement Project (USEEP).
Over 60 educators participated in a comprehensive training programme, organised by the education ministry in partnership with the Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF) and Science Teaching and Innovations Africa (STIA), designed to strengthen student guidance, counselling, discipline, and extracurricular development in secondary schools.
Participants received practical training in communication, leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, conflict resolution, child protection, and violence prevention.
Participants came from Rubondo Community SS, Nakivale SS, Bukanga SS, Kabura Moslem SS, Kabura Moslem SS, Kigaragara SS, Ntungu SS, Kiyenje SS, Kihanda SS, St Raphael Voc SS, Rwamurunga Community School, Kikagate Seed School, Endinzi SS, Kakuto SS, Katanoga SS, Kanywamaizi SS, Masha Seed SS, St John Rusya and Kabigo Seed SS.
Participants who attended the 3-day training organized by the Ministry of Education and Sports in partnership with the Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF) and Science Teaching and Innovations Africa (STIA) posing for the photo shortly after completing the training.
According to Dickens Tiharihondijo, the communications officer of Science Teaching and Initiative Africa (STIA), the programme focuses on fostering safer school environments, promoting positive student behavior, building personal resilience, and strengthening protection mechanisms against violence.
Isingiro is among the districts in south-western Uganda where STIA and LGF are implementing the school safety component of USEEP. Other districts with USEEP-supported schools that LGF and STIA work in include Ibanda, Kazo, Mbarara city, Kirihura, Rubirizi, Sheema, Buhweju, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kanungu, Mitoma and Rwampara.
Tiharihondijo said similar trainings will also be conducted in the Lango, Acholi, Central, and Eastern sub-regions, reaching schools supported under the programme.
Mugisa added that through this collaboration, the Ministry of Education and Sports, STIA, and LGF reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that every learner has access to a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
Laying the foundation
Nasasira Betty, a teacher from St Raphael Voc SS and other participants we talked to hailed the organisers, noting that the training comes at a time when many learners continue to face challenges related to bullying, violence, abuse, peer pressure, mental health concerns, and limited opportunities to develop essential life skills.Siperanza Mwigarire, a teacher from Masha Seed SS, said cultivating essential competencies in learners lays the foundation for responsible citizenship and sustainable national growth.
“When educational programs effectively instil these practical abilities, they shape conscientious individuals equipped to do things the right way and advance the country,” Mwigarire added.
Longino Mugisha, the head teacher of Ngarama SS, said the initiative has strengthened them with capacity as teachers, who are often the first point of contact for learners experiencing many challenges and believe this will improve schools' ability to provide timely support and create safe, learner-friendly environments.
Turinawe Gift, a teacher from St Raphael Vocational SS, said once the initiative is carried out in all schools in the country, it will contribute to a reduction in violence against children, improved learner wellbeing, increased school retention rates—particularly among girls—and better preparation of young people for responsible citizenship, employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong success.