Isingiro gets sh176m for education

Jun 15, 2011

The learning environment and performance of pupils in Isingiro district has improved following a $86,824 (about sh176m) grant from the Japanese government.

By A. Ssengendo

The learning environment and performance of pupils in Isingiro district has improved following a $86,824 (about sh176m) grant from the Japanese government.

The grant was used to construct classrooms, latrines, water tanks and buy furniture for three primary schools. The construction work was commissioned by the Japanese Ambassador, Kazauo Minagawa on February 3.

The district education officer, Nathan Kabikire, identified the beneficiary schools as Kankingi, Burungama Catholic and Ruborogota primary schools.

Kabikire said three classrooms were constructed in Kankingi Primary School, in addition to a 16,000-litre water tank, a four-stance pit-latrine for pupils and two-stance pit-latrine for staff.

The school also got 36 pieces of three-seater desks. Burungamo and Ruborogota primary schools each got a three-classroom block, a 16,000-litre water tank, 39 pieces of three-seater desks, two-stance pit-latrines for pupils and two-stance pit-latrines for staff.

Kabikire said in Kankingi Primary School, over 100 pupils used to crowd in one classroom, but after the construction of new class rooms, each classroom now accommodates 51 pupils.

In Burungama where 81 pupils were sharing a classroom, the number has reduced to 59 pupils per classroom and at Ruborogota, it has reduced from 103 per pupils to 54 pupils.

Kabikire urged the beneficiaries to come up with measures to maintain the structures.

He said the donation was given to schools which lacked facilities.

The deputy head teacher of Burungamo Catholic Primary School, Jackson Katungi, said the provision of water tanks had improved sanitation at his school.

“Previously pupils did not have water to wash their hands after using latrines but with this assistance, sanitation has improved and we hope it will also improve the academic performance, he said.

Katungi said the 16,000-litre water tank can serve the entire school which had only one underground water tank.

He added that the classrooms, which were congested with pupils sitting on mats, now have desks.

Deus Kente, the chairman of the management committee and a parent of Burungama Catholic Primary school, said: “We expect the performance to be better than that of last year because the situation has changed and our candidates have a conducive atmosphere in which to read.”

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