Ham: the teacher who has won hearts of pupils
Nov 23, 2010
HE teaches mathematics, physical education and computer skills. His method of teaching has made him a favourite among the pupils. Dominic Muwanguzi caught up with Ham Kubiriguma and tells his story.
HE teaches mathematics, physical education and computer skills. His method of teaching has made him a favourite among the pupils. Dominic Muwanguzi caught up with Ham Kubiriguma and tells his story.
HE has a radiant smile, is jolly and has a way with children. They just love him and enjoy being around him. Ham Kubiriguma is liked by the school gatekeeper, the school headteacher and the school director.
Edith Serunkenya, the school director, says: “Ham is an exceptional teacher. He is committed to what he does and he does it with a passion. He has been at this school for the past nine years. His fellow teachers last year nominated him as the best teacher because of his ability to identify talent among pupils and the fact that he makes mathematics look like a child’s play and the pupils love it. “
Kubiriguma is a teacher at Mother Care Primary School in Bunamwaya in Wakiso district. He is the head of the extra-curricular department.
Last year, he helped his school scoop one of the top positions in the Wakiso district music, dance and drama competition.
To him, teaching is not just a profession to earn a pay check, but a service to the community.
He adds: “I believe that as a teacher I have a calling to serve these pupils and their parents. Sometimes the parents invite me to their children’s birthday parties, while others send me gifts.â€
Testimony
Resty Nanyonga is a mother to two of Kubiriguma’s pupils.
She says: “My children were not good at math, but Kubiriguma made it possible for them to pass the subject. Until today, there is that bond between them and this teacher.â€
Indeed, a tour around the school reveals how the pupils have deep affection for Kubiriguma.
“Teacher Ham, how are you… bye, bye teacher Ham…,†they kept yelling out.
I asked one of the pupils, Phiona Naggendo, why she loves teacher Ham.
She replied: “Teacher Ham is very caring. If you have not understood something, he will sit down with you and teach it to you and simplify it.â€
Naggendo says Hams astounding infectious character extends beyond the classroom.
During the physical education lesson with the Primary Four class, I could only watch in astonishment as he got carried away in the sport with his neck-tie on. He would squat, run and jump with a lot of enthusiasm, and the pupils relished this.
He tells of several experiences where parents bring their children to Mothercare because of him.
Achievement
Kubiriguma is able to support his siblings. He has been able to pay for his brother’s education in a tertiary institution. His brother is now a qualified plumber.
He has also been able to aid his sister who recently graduated as a nursery school teacher.
Background
Ham Kubiriguma was born in Kabale district in 1979 to John Ntaratambi and Molly Ntaratambi.
As a child, he admired the life of his school teachers because they were always smart and respected by the community.
He says: “I grew up respecting and admiring teachers. The teachers in my school were always smart and earned a lot of respect from parents and pupils. This inspired me to pursue a teaching career.â€
He is from a modest peasant family. His mother resorted to farming when his father passed on.
As the eldest child in the family, Kubiriguma dropped off after Senior Four and joined Kabale Core Primary School to become a teacher.
He paid his tuition by doing casual jobs around the village during school days.
HE has a radiant smile, is jolly and has a way with children. They just love him and enjoy being around him. Ham Kubiriguma is liked by the school gatekeeper, the school headteacher and the school director.
Edith Serunkenya, the school director, says: “Ham is an exceptional teacher. He is committed to what he does and he does it with a passion. He has been at this school for the past nine years. His fellow teachers last year nominated him as the best teacher because of his ability to identify talent among pupils and the fact that he makes mathematics look like a child’s play and the pupils love it. “
Kubiriguma is a teacher at Mother Care Primary School in Bunamwaya in Wakiso district. He is the head of the extra-curricular department.
Last year, he helped his school scoop one of the top positions in the Wakiso district music, dance and drama competition.
To him, teaching is not just a profession to earn a pay check, but a service to the community.
He adds: “I believe that as a teacher I have a calling to serve these pupils and their parents. Sometimes the parents invite me to their children’s birthday parties, while others send me gifts.â€
Testimony
Resty Nanyonga is a mother to two of Kubiriguma’s pupils.
She says: “My children were not good at math, but Kubiriguma made it possible for them to pass the subject. Until today, there is that bond between them and this teacher.â€
Indeed, a tour around the school reveals how the pupils have deep affection for Kubiriguma.
“Teacher Ham, how are you… bye, bye teacher Ham…,†they kept yelling out.
I asked one of the pupils, Phiona Naggendo, why she loves teacher Ham.
She replied: “Teacher Ham is very caring. If you have not understood something, he will sit down with you and teach it to you and simplify it.â€
Naggendo says Hams astounding infectious character extends beyond the classroom.
During the physical education lesson with the Primary Four class, I could only watch in astonishment as he got carried away in the sport with his neck-tie on. He would squat, run and jump with a lot of enthusiasm, and the pupils relished this.
He tells of several experiences where parents bring their children to Mothercare because of him.
Achievement
Kubiriguma is able to support his siblings. He has been able to pay for his brother’s education in a tertiary institution. His brother is now a qualified plumber.
He has also been able to aid his sister who recently graduated as a nursery school teacher.
Background
Ham Kubiriguma was born in Kabale district in 1979 to John Ntaratambi and Molly Ntaratambi.
As a child, he admired the life of his school teachers because they were always smart and respected by the community.
He says: “I grew up respecting and admiring teachers. The teachers in my school were always smart and earned a lot of respect from parents and pupils. This inspired me to pursue a teaching career.â€
He is from a modest peasant family. His mother resorted to farming when his father passed on.
As the eldest child in the family, Kubiriguma dropped off after Senior Four and joined Kabale Core Primary School to become a teacher.
He paid his tuition by doing casual jobs around the village during school days.