Iganga SS rises to a new day

Apr 04, 2016

In almost all directions, one looks at contemporary buildings in an apparent struggle for space with archaic structures of yesteryears.

A rugged murram surface covers most of the winding pathway that leads to the magnificent gate of Iganga Senior Secondary School.

Numerous signposts, at various stages of fading due to rust, dot this 2km route from CMS trading centre to the location.

Mean-looking female security guards control the entry points, rummaging through car interiors like they have some concealed weapons of mass destruction.

 
Patches of artificial tree cover occupy sections of the compound. The aroma from flower gardens seems to mix well with the smell of fresh paint emanating from new buildings to give a feel of freshness.

Even though the surface is still wet from an earlier downpour, the neatly set walkways linking all buildings ensure one does not encounter much sludge. The rumble of water in drainage channels below indicates the gravitational-induced flow of remaining runoffs.

In almost all directions, one looks at contemporary buildings in an apparent struggle for space with archaic structures of yesteryears. Although the old blocks received a new coat of paint, the rusty iron sheets describe their era.

The old administration block


The new administration block


According to Emmanuel Kiyimba, a teacher of English, the new structures finished last year are a result of a co-funded project by African Development Bank and government.

"Iganga S.S.S. has benefitted by acquisition of a storied building housing both library and computer laboratory. Other facilities built include teachers' quarter block, a storied dormitory block and science laboratory," Kiyimba adds.

Idah Balina, the headmistress explains that the Sh3.3b rehabilitation and expansion works at the school had been contracted to Ms Prisma Ltd.

History

The Church Missionary Society (CMS) founded school started way back in the mid-1950s as a Junior Girls School covering junior One to three levels.

Irene Ddamulira, an old girl explains that by then primary six leavers would cross straight to junior one level.

"In 1965, construction of the boy's end started and gradually it became a mixed secondary school by 1969. It is around that time that it was taken over as a public school by government," Ddamulira reveals.

The old special needs education building


The new special needs education department


Muhammad Senfuma, the LCI chief of Bukoyo village says the school enjoyed a mixed status until 1987 when the last batch of boys sat for their A' levels.

Nowadays, it is only a few blind boys that are admitted to the school. It is now a predominantly girls school.

"The reconversion to Girls-only school was conducted as a phased withdrawal of boys starting in 1984. At the time, the head teacher was David Kintu," Senfuma says.

Academic excellence

In 1995, a girl by the name Janet Ajilong scored Aggregate 8 in best eight subjects emerging top female nationwide.

Muzamiru Menya, former Iganga district education officer narrates that this was the beginning of Iganga SSS rise to fame as parents rushed to bring their bright children to S.1 at this ‘good school.'

"The then headmistress Idah Kagoya Tarinyeba had just begun proving her worth. From 1994 until she left in 2002 the school had become an academic giant," Menya adds.

Benson Nkwasibwe, head of special needs department


Joseph Ssemwanga, the director of studies says a number of factors have contributed significantly to the good performance exhibited at national examinations in recent times.

He cites parental contribution through the Parents Teacher Association (PTA), staff motivation and rigorous learner guidance as some of the vital ingredients utilised.

"In 2007, Sandra Ajik scored aggregate 8 in eight subjects followed by Justine Nekesa with agg.9. In fact the entire best five slots for Iganga district where taken by Iganga S.S," Ssemwanga assures.

He says in 2010, the school was ranked by Uganda National Examinations Board as the 11th best performer in O' level nationwide.

"The percentage ranking of best schools in 2012 puts Iganga S.S. at 25th position countrywide with 85% pass," he reveals.

He states that more than half of the 110 UACE candidates of 2014 got admitted to public universities on government sponsorship.

The A'level dormitory built under the ADB project


A teacher attends to students at the school


Current school status

Benson Nkwasibwe, the head of the special needs unit says that in 2012, Sight Savers International in conjunction with ADB equally built an ultramodern structure for the department.

"The sh50m property came with several accessories that have simplified learning of special needs students. This includes a Closed Circuit TV (CCTV), printers and Braille-conversion equipment called embosser," Nkwasibwe adds.

He says the revamped structure now serves as the Special Needs Education (SNE) demonstration centre for schools in eastern region.

According to Balina, the school now boasts of a population of 1,480 learners attended to by the 62 members of staff.

"Under a Japanese government grant, the school acquired a 400-seater library. The expansive block completed last year has been duly stocked with books hitherto kept in the book store," she adds.

The new library and computer lab complex


Ssemwanga narrates that with three computer laboratory currently in place, all students get exposure to ICT skills at an early stage.

"The old computer lab contains 60 computer sets with the cyber department boasting of almost the same number. Then the ADB facility has also been fitted with 30 computers linked to internet," he says.

He observes that the new library was equipped with furniture and volumes of books covering all subjects taught at the school.

"Actually even the storied dormitory block for the A' level students was fitted with double-decker beds and lavatories," he notes.

 The library built using Japanese government aid


Challenges

Ssemwanga notes that the old dining hall built in the 1970s is too small for the current student population.

"A shade was built adjacent to cater for the bug number. However, there is still need to reconstruct the entire hall to contemporary standards," he says.

He cites the presence of condemned asbestos roofing on some school buildings as another challenge which needs to be addressed for health reasons.

"Scientists have warned that a type of cancer called asbestosis could arise in humans sheltering under such roofs," he claims.

Notable OBs/OGs

Ofwono Opondo (NRM spokesperson)
        
Olivia Kabaale (Iganga woman MP)
       
Ngobi Gume (Jinja LC5 chairman)
       
Judith Babirye (Gospel artiste and Buikwe Woman MP-elect).

What others say

Esther Nandase, parent

I am impressed by the structures. This implies there would be more space to accommodate more of our children in the school.

Ngobi Gume, Jinja LC5 chairman

Attending Iganga Secondary School makes me walk with pride. It is unfortunate nowadays our sons cannot enjoy the school unless they are under the special needs category.

Cyprose Mbabazi, student

The new buildings have simplified life here since we have separate laboratories for O' level and A' level science students. There is no more congestion in laboratories or even libraries as everywhere you go there is ample room.

Immaculate Atukunda, student

The performance is going to get even better since the text books we received are more than enough. There is no essential book now lacking in the two libraries at school. 

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