At 72, Acak struggles to fulfill his dream of education
May 24, 2011
BY Vien Obote Paul Acak, a 72-year-old man from Abuti village in Apac district is the talk of the village. He is in P.6 at Abutaber Primary School where he studies with children fit to be his grand children.
REAL LIFE STORY
BY Vien Obote Paul Acak, a 72-year-old man from Abuti village in Apac district is the talk of the village. He is in P.6 at Abutaber Primary School where he studies with children fit to be his grand children.
He was born 1938 and has been a peasant all his life. He walks about 5km on foot every day from his home located northeast of Abutaber and north of Apac town.
The determined old man says he picked the courage to go back to school because he wants to speak English like some of his agemates who had a chance to be at school during their early childhood.
Acak who, at the moment, cannot construct an English sentence apart from greetings, says he wants to study up to university after which he can be employed by the government like other academicians.
“ I would always get disappointed and ashamed when some old men tried to speak English with me and I was at a loss of words. I want to be one of the best English speakers in Apac district. He also says he was motivated to go back to school because of the free Universal Primary Education (UPE) which never existed during his childhood days.
Acak is married to two wives: Jacinta Acak and Lucia Alaba Acak. He has 17 children but none of them went to school at any level which Acak attributes to poverty.
Acak’s only successful child is Paul, a fisherman at Akokoro landing site in Maruzi county, Apac district. The school-going old man whose home is located on an eight-acre piece of land survives on subsistence farming.
At school, he is competing favourably, especially in English and mathematics. Alaba, his second wife, says since her husband went back to school, she is respected in the village.
“People now take me serious, because they know my man has also gone to school and can reason like other learned men around the district.
Beatrice Akany, a neighbour to Acak, says they are also challenged to go back to school because they cannot continue digging and die poor.
Acak is a very social man in the community. At home, visitors flood his compound. Many of his neighbours are amazed at the kind of positive image the old man has created about Abuti village. He got the 19th position before he was promoted to P.4, 27th to join P.5, the 12th to join P.6 and last term, he was the 40th out of 67 pupils in first term in P.6. Joel Odora, his class teacher says Acak has room to improve and pass very well to P.7 and sit for his PLE.
YOUR VIEWS:
Prossy Nakiryowa, a teacher, Turkish Academy Nursery and Primary School
It is hard for an old person to concentrate in class because they have other responsibilities in mind. They need a place where they can be given full attention. It is also difficult for a teacher to command someone who is older than them. I advise such people to join adult education centres if they want to fully benefit.
Noeline Mukeele, a head teacher, Anna & Tony Primary School
Acquiring writing and reading skills benefits everyone regardless of their age. Being in an environment with children creates a challenge which helps older people to work harder. The children are able to learn to respect the teachers when they see someone old respecting the teacher.
Ronald Mulindwa, a pupil, Ndejje View Primary School
It is not good to study with someone fit to be your father because if you do something bad in class, they can beat you.
Julius Bamwenda, a teacher
These older people need the basic education because it prepares them for higher education. Their presence in class is a learning point for the young pupils because they will not want to be victims of the same in future.
Gloria Matovu, a pupil, Ndejje View Primary School
It is okay to study with old people because they are like our school parents. They share their food with us and show parental care.
Jane Nakato, a parent
I would not want my child to study with an old person. Young children easily get distracted. They will spend half of the time focusing on the old man.
BY Vien Obote Paul Acak, a 72-year-old man from Abuti village in Apac district is the talk of the village. He is in P.6 at Abutaber Primary School where he studies with children fit to be his grand children.
He was born 1938 and has been a peasant all his life. He walks about 5km on foot every day from his home located northeast of Abutaber and north of Apac town.
The determined old man says he picked the courage to go back to school because he wants to speak English like some of his agemates who had a chance to be at school during their early childhood.
Acak who, at the moment, cannot construct an English sentence apart from greetings, says he wants to study up to university after which he can be employed by the government like other academicians.
“ I would always get disappointed and ashamed when some old men tried to speak English with me and I was at a loss of words. I want to be one of the best English speakers in Apac district. He also says he was motivated to go back to school because of the free Universal Primary Education (UPE) which never existed during his childhood days.
Acak is married to two wives: Jacinta Acak and Lucia Alaba Acak. He has 17 children but none of them went to school at any level which Acak attributes to poverty.
Acak’s only successful child is Paul, a fisherman at Akokoro landing site in Maruzi county, Apac district. The school-going old man whose home is located on an eight-acre piece of land survives on subsistence farming.
At school, he is competing favourably, especially in English and mathematics. Alaba, his second wife, says since her husband went back to school, she is respected in the village.
“People now take me serious, because they know my man has also gone to school and can reason like other learned men around the district.
Beatrice Akany, a neighbour to Acak, says they are also challenged to go back to school because they cannot continue digging and die poor.
Acak is a very social man in the community. At home, visitors flood his compound. Many of his neighbours are amazed at the kind of positive image the old man has created about Abuti village. He got the 19th position before he was promoted to P.4, 27th to join P.5, the 12th to join P.6 and last term, he was the 40th out of 67 pupils in first term in P.6. Joel Odora, his class teacher says Acak has room to improve and pass very well to P.7 and sit for his PLE.
YOUR VIEWS:
Prossy Nakiryowa, a teacher, Turkish Academy Nursery and Primary School
It is hard for an old person to concentrate in class because they have other responsibilities in mind. They need a place where they can be given full attention. It is also difficult for a teacher to command someone who is older than them. I advise such people to join adult education centres if they want to fully benefit.
Noeline Mukeele, a head teacher, Anna & Tony Primary School
Acquiring writing and reading skills benefits everyone regardless of their age. Being in an environment with children creates a challenge which helps older people to work harder. The children are able to learn to respect the teachers when they see someone old respecting the teacher.
Ronald Mulindwa, a pupil, Ndejje View Primary School
It is not good to study with someone fit to be your father because if you do something bad in class, they can beat you.
Julius Bamwenda, a teacher
These older people need the basic education because it prepares them for higher education. Their presence in class is a learning point for the young pupils because they will not want to be victims of the same in future.
Gloria Matovu, a pupil, Ndejje View Primary School
It is okay to study with old people because they are like our school parents. They share their food with us and show parental care.
Jane Nakato, a parent
I would not want my child to study with an old person. Young children easily get distracted. They will spend half of the time focusing on the old man.