Failing to join a top O’level school is not the end
Feb 01, 2011
JONAH Mutebi scored aggregate eight in the recently-released Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), but he is worried he may fail to join the school of his choice.
By Agnes Kyotalengerire
JONAH Mutebi scored aggregate eight in the recently-released Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), but he is worried he may fail to join the school of his choice.
“I had hoped to join either Kings College Buddo or St. Mary’s College Kisubi, but with this performance, I wonder if I will be admitted,†he ponders. And it is not only pupils who are worried. Three days after the results were released, Ritah Nagujja, a parent, did not wait for the selection exercise to determine the fate of her child. She started seeking a vacancy in one of the perceived star schools for her daughter who scored aggregate seven.
Educationists are worried about the increasing trend of parents fighting for slots in the perceived star schools. This trend has also been cited as the cause of the competition among schools to work only towards passing national examinations. Schools are concentrating on getting super grades at the expense of a holistic approach to education.
Why the scramble for the few perceived star schools
Rogers Mulindwa is among the many parents who are struggling to secure a vacancy in one of the top performing secondary schools. However, his son scored below the admission mark.
“I went to King’s College Buddo for my secondary education and I believe my success is a result of the education foundation I acquired there. It is a tradition we want to maintain in the family because many of our relatives have gone to Buddo,†Mulindwa says.
He explains that although the secondary education syllabus might be the same, top performing schools instill discipline, hard work and perseverance in children. Even the academically weak children are encouraged to read hard and excel.
Robinah Achan, another parent, argues that good O’level education provides a foundation for both A’level and university education. “When your child passes well at O’level, you are assured that he or she will join a good A’level school and chances of excelling to join university on government sponsorship are high. That is why every parent’s wish is to have their children join a star school for secondary education,†she explains.
What are the other options
While it is every parent’s dream to take their children to the best schools, it is not always possible. However, this also does not mean the end of your child’s education fortunes.
Joseph Mugisha, a senior geologist, attained his primary and secondary education from rural schools in his home village in Bushenyi.
“I studied from the so-called rural schools which most people would be happy to avoid, but I still passed and made it to university. It is a matter of discipline and determination. Even children in star schools fail,†Mugisha says.
Moses Otyek, the former director of Education Standards Agency and specialist in career guidance and counselling, notes that though parents want their children to join top performing schools, their objective is to see the children pass with flying colours.
Otyek adds that good education is more than just super classroom grades.
“There are many other secondary schools in rural areas with facilities that can provide good education to enable children perform well academically and in other aspects of life.â€
Otyek reveals that much as parents consider good buildings, the basic requirement in a school is the teacher. “If the teacher is incompetent, then you cannot get good products. It is not the school that passes the examinations but the ability and willingness of the child to learn coupled with the effort the child puts in to revise and this can be achieved in any secondary school with basic standards,†he says.
Angela Kyagaba, a curriculum specialist in secondary education at the National Curriculum Development Centre, says a parent should not be frustrated because they cannot get a vacancy for their children in a top school.
“Research and look around... you will get a good school which could still meet the education needs of the child.â€
Francis Agura, the assistant commissioner of government secondary education, advises that the parent together with the child seek guidance and counselling when confronted with the dilemma and disappointment of not making it to a super school.
“Once the child’s mind is set for a top school and unfortunately the child is not admitted, this may cause trauma. It is only through counselling that both the parent and the child will be helped to come to terms with the situation and probably be helped to identify other good schools,†Agura explains.
What is the ministry doing to reduce the fuss about top schools?
The education ministry together with World Bank are transforming a number of secondary schools across the country into learning centres of excellence. Schools like Teso College, Lango College, Layibi College and St. Joseph’s Ombachi are still at planning stages.
To enable the schools meet the required standards, the schools are being rehabilitated and facilities like good football pitches, well equipped libraries and laboratories, good dormitories and good staff houses are being constructed in remote schools across the country.
JONAH Mutebi scored aggregate eight in the recently-released Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), but he is worried he may fail to join the school of his choice.
“I had hoped to join either Kings College Buddo or St. Mary’s College Kisubi, but with this performance, I wonder if I will be admitted,†he ponders. And it is not only pupils who are worried. Three days after the results were released, Ritah Nagujja, a parent, did not wait for the selection exercise to determine the fate of her child. She started seeking a vacancy in one of the perceived star schools for her daughter who scored aggregate seven.
Educationists are worried about the increasing trend of parents fighting for slots in the perceived star schools. This trend has also been cited as the cause of the competition among schools to work only towards passing national examinations. Schools are concentrating on getting super grades at the expense of a holistic approach to education.
Why the scramble for the few perceived star schools
Rogers Mulindwa is among the many parents who are struggling to secure a vacancy in one of the top performing secondary schools. However, his son scored below the admission mark.
“I went to King’s College Buddo for my secondary education and I believe my success is a result of the education foundation I acquired there. It is a tradition we want to maintain in the family because many of our relatives have gone to Buddo,†Mulindwa says.
He explains that although the secondary education syllabus might be the same, top performing schools instill discipline, hard work and perseverance in children. Even the academically weak children are encouraged to read hard and excel.
Robinah Achan, another parent, argues that good O’level education provides a foundation for both A’level and university education. “When your child passes well at O’level, you are assured that he or she will join a good A’level school and chances of excelling to join university on government sponsorship are high. That is why every parent’s wish is to have their children join a star school for secondary education,†she explains.
What are the other options
While it is every parent’s dream to take their children to the best schools, it is not always possible. However, this also does not mean the end of your child’s education fortunes.
Joseph Mugisha, a senior geologist, attained his primary and secondary education from rural schools in his home village in Bushenyi.
“I studied from the so-called rural schools which most people would be happy to avoid, but I still passed and made it to university. It is a matter of discipline and determination. Even children in star schools fail,†Mugisha says.
Moses Otyek, the former director of Education Standards Agency and specialist in career guidance and counselling, notes that though parents want their children to join top performing schools, their objective is to see the children pass with flying colours.
Otyek adds that good education is more than just super classroom grades.
“There are many other secondary schools in rural areas with facilities that can provide good education to enable children perform well academically and in other aspects of life.â€
Otyek reveals that much as parents consider good buildings, the basic requirement in a school is the teacher. “If the teacher is incompetent, then you cannot get good products. It is not the school that passes the examinations but the ability and willingness of the child to learn coupled with the effort the child puts in to revise and this can be achieved in any secondary school with basic standards,†he says.
Angela Kyagaba, a curriculum specialist in secondary education at the National Curriculum Development Centre, says a parent should not be frustrated because they cannot get a vacancy for their children in a top school.
“Research and look around... you will get a good school which could still meet the education needs of the child.â€
Francis Agura, the assistant commissioner of government secondary education, advises that the parent together with the child seek guidance and counselling when confronted with the dilemma and disappointment of not making it to a super school.
“Once the child’s mind is set for a top school and unfortunately the child is not admitted, this may cause trauma. It is only through counselling that both the parent and the child will be helped to come to terms with the situation and probably be helped to identify other good schools,†Agura explains.
What is the ministry doing to reduce the fuss about top schools?
The education ministry together with World Bank are transforming a number of secondary schools across the country into learning centres of excellence. Schools like Teso College, Lango College, Layibi College and St. Joseph’s Ombachi are still at planning stages.
To enable the schools meet the required standards, the schools are being rehabilitated and facilities like good football pitches, well equipped libraries and laboratories, good dormitories and good staff houses are being constructed in remote schools across the country.