Vision Group injects sh5m in West Nile education trust fund

PIC: Members and well-wishers of the West Nile Education Fund cutting cake at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Friday. (Credit: Denis Dibele)

EDUCATION | FUND

KAMPALA - Vision Group has donated sh5m to the West Nile education trust fund towards the revamping of the dilapidated education performance in the region.

According Bill Tibingana, the head of Radios at Vision Group, since the takeover of Arua One radio based in West Nile region, a number of projects have been towards the development of the area.

"We have engaged in a series of projects that have a social impact on the locals in the region. These include training community initiatives," he said.

During the launch of the West Nile Education Trust Fund at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Friday, Tibingana revealed that they were approached for support towards the cause.

"With sh5m, this contribution and more still to come will go a long way towards improving the education performance in the region," he said.

Tibingana vowed to continue supporting the initiatives and activities of the fund through Vision Group platforms, especially Arua One radio, which is the best module of communication in the region.

The education trust fund is aimed at revamping the dilapidated education standards in the area as well as fighting poverty in West Nile region.

The fund, which stands at sh50m, has started with a sponsorship of four less privileged university students who are studying bachelor's degrees in pharmacy and human medicine across the public universities in the country.

To realise their dream, the fund hopes to raise over sh5b in the next five years so as to support over 300 learners at different entry levels in the academic progression. The focus will be mainly on agriculture and science courses to the less privileged, but brilliant students.

The funds target all the districts of West Nile, including Arua, Adjumani, Moyo,Yumbe, Koboko, Maracha, Nebbi and Pakwach.

Charles Draecabo, the chairperson of the fund, blamed the poor education performance in the area on the recent insurgencies that destabilised the peace.

"The poor education system in West Nile has limited the ability of students. It has made thousands of children fail to make it to the universities, leaving the area as the main exporter of casual labour to other parts of the country," he said.

Draecabo added that the new funding will ensure that students are given a chance to join tertiary institutions and also improve the standards of schools in the area.

"The fund will also support schools in the region to regain their past glory through support with equipment and improvement in the early childhood learning," he said.