Nabisunsa Girls' School lobbies for teaching of Turkish language

EDUCATION

As the government implements the policy of teaching Chinese language this academic year, Nabisunsa Girls School has lobbied for the inclusion of Turkish language as well.

According to the head teacher of Nabisunsa Girls' School, Zulaika Nabukeera, this will increase employment and scholarship opportunities for the girl child in Turkey.

She said this during a meeting with the Turkish ambassador, HE Kerem Alp, who paid a courtesy call to the school on Wednesday.

"We are already teaching German, French and Chinese Languages and we would be glad to start teaching Turkish as well," Nabukeera told the Turkish ambassador to Uganda and his delegation.

The National Curriculum Development Centre has incorporated the teaching of Chinese language in secondary schools beginning this academic year.

Nabukeera explained that the girl child has been disadvantaged as many girls drop out of school and avenues should be explored to keep them in school.

She said the teaching of Turkish language would be one way of addressing unemployment and increase chances of scholarships to be offered to the girl child to study in Turkey.

The head teacher informed the ambassador and his delegation that the school was grappling with dilapidated dormitories which were built in 1949.

She said due to inadequate accommodation, congestion has been the order of the day, which has inconvenienced the students.

She said the school needs a new dormitory block, which is expected to cost sh2b. The new dormitory is expected to accommodate 500 students, of which the school has 1635 students.


Nabukeera appealed to the Turkish ambassador to come to their rescue saying that once the infrastructure is in place, the school administration would be able to admit more students.

Responding to Nabukeera's concerns, ambassador Alp pledged to support the infrastructure development saying it falls in line with his government policy in giving first priority on infrastructure development in Africa.

Alp who was accompanied by the chairman of "Always Be Tolerant," a non-governmental organisation, Moses Musana, emphasised that education is vital for the girl child.

He informed guests that the Government of Turkey is willing to offer teachers to teach Turkish language once the modalities have been put in place.

He said there are very many employment and scholarship opportunities in Turkey once the students have mastered the Turkish language.

He added that his government is also looking forward to explore cooperation in various fields such as education through exchange programmes, and businesses, among others.

The school board chairman, Amisi Mukasa asked for assistance, in form of infrastructure, and any other possible areas of cooperation for the development of the school and the country at large.