Schools with few facilities can still pass sciences
Feb 01, 2007
LAST year, the Government came up with a policy to promote sciences by making science subjects compulsory at O’Level and increasing sponsorship for science courses at Makerere University.
Moses Komakech
LAST year, the Government came up with a policy to promote sciences by making science subjects compulsory at O’Level and increasing sponsorship for science courses at Makerere University.
However, over the years, sciences have been poorly done by students at O and A’ Level, if we are to go by the Uganda National Examinations Board results. Students in first world schools pass with flying colours while those in upcountry schools fail.
The reason given by the Ministry of Education, students and teachers is that such schools lack science laboratories and equipment.
Well, it is true that most upcountry schools and the mushrooming private ones with commercial interests, lack laboratory equipment, but does that justify lack of creativity among the teachers?
Such schools can solve this problem without crying foul by trying out the following:
Start practicals as early as possible for O’ Level, preferably in Senior Two and Three and senior Five at A’ Level to avoid last minute rush. Most schools start practicals three or four months to the final exams, yet they do not have enough equipment. Even if the school does not have enough equipment, starting early allows students to carry out practicals in shifts.
Be creative. Allow students to carry out practicals in groups of three to 10. Keith Obott, a senior chemistry teacher at St. Mary’s College Kisubi and author of renown chemistry books, agrees that a student does not need to do the practicals alone.
Levy a small laboratory fee which must be paid by all students. The fee should be reasonable, say between sh2,000 and sh4,000, which most parents can afford. Use this money to buy equipment. If put to proper use, I am sure that money can go a long way in acquiring equipment. Schools with poorly-equipped laboratories should admit few students for sciences. This will reduce the load on the equipment.
To the teachers, make the practical sessions fun, so that students enjoy and pay more attention. Encourage students to participate actively in the groups.
Headteachers could also cooperate with sister schools to have joint practical sessions. Some missionary schools have enough equipment, which they can share with neighbouring schools.
Try these methods and surely, you will increase the number of distinctions in your practical subject. Good luck.
Moses Komakech is a teacher at St. Mary’s SS Kitende
LAST year, the Government came up with a policy to promote sciences by making science subjects compulsory at O’Level and increasing sponsorship for science courses at Makerere University.
However, over the years, sciences have been poorly done by students at O and A’ Level, if we are to go by the Uganda National Examinations Board results. Students in first world schools pass with flying colours while those in upcountry schools fail.
The reason given by the Ministry of Education, students and teachers is that such schools lack science laboratories and equipment.
Well, it is true that most upcountry schools and the mushrooming private ones with commercial interests, lack laboratory equipment, but does that justify lack of creativity among the teachers?
Such schools can solve this problem without crying foul by trying out the following:
Start practicals as early as possible for O’ Level, preferably in Senior Two and Three and senior Five at A’ Level to avoid last minute rush. Most schools start practicals three or four months to the final exams, yet they do not have enough equipment. Even if the school does not have enough equipment, starting early allows students to carry out practicals in shifts.
Be creative. Allow students to carry out practicals in groups of three to 10. Keith Obott, a senior chemistry teacher at St. Mary’s College Kisubi and author of renown chemistry books, agrees that a student does not need to do the practicals alone.
Levy a small laboratory fee which must be paid by all students. The fee should be reasonable, say between sh2,000 and sh4,000, which most parents can afford. Use this money to buy equipment. If put to proper use, I am sure that money can go a long way in acquiring equipment. Schools with poorly-equipped laboratories should admit few students for sciences. This will reduce the load on the equipment.
To the teachers, make the practical sessions fun, so that students enjoy and pay more attention. Encourage students to participate actively in the groups.
Headteachers could also cooperate with sister schools to have joint practical sessions. Some missionary schools have enough equipment, which they can share with neighbouring schools.
Try these methods and surely, you will increase the number of distinctions in your practical subject. Good luck.
Moses Komakech is a teacher at St. Mary’s SS Kitende