Ntare school gets sh3.2b lab

The education ministry has set up three science laboratories at Ntare School in Mbarara city. The fully-equipped labs are worth sh3.2b.

The laboratories-of physics, biology and chemistry were set up to improve performance in science subjects in the school.

Headteacher Jimmy Turyagyenda said President Yoweri Museveni, who is an old student of the school, in 2015, directed then education minister Jessica Alupo to plan for funds for the renovation and construction of the modern laboratories at the school.

Other schools, such as Kanyaryeru Secondary School and Kaaro High School in Kiruhura district would also benefit.

The President said there was need to expand Ntare School and equip it with modern facilities.

"Besides, there is another logic that we should not forget Ntare School, Sir Samuel Baker, Teso College and Butobere High. There are other two schools that are special category - Kaaro High School which was the first purely parents secondary school founded in 1967 and Kanyaryeru Secondary School, which I started specifically for orphans of the Luwero war," Museveni's letter reads.

Turyagyenda said Ntare School had classrooms and laboratories built-in 1956, some of which had become too small for the number of students at the school.

"Imagine a school with about 1,870 students, with five streams per class and using space meant for 40 students," he said.

"We have designed a room for special experiments, such as robotics because the new curriculum does not allow having science class that is theoretical," Turyagyenda added.

Teachers speak out

Ndeze Wilson, Deputy Headteacher: When you look at our O'level, each class has five streams. A'level has two streams because labs have not been adequate, we would make a timetable to fix and ensure that each class accesses the laboratory. With new laboratories, students will get more time for practical lessons.

George Tiragana, Physics/Maths teacher: The new laboratories are convenient because the ratio of students to apparatus has reduced. It has been 5:1. which would make other students fail to have a hands-on feel of the apparatus. The ratio of students to apparatus will reduce to about 2:1.