School director now tends to its compound

The unexpected closure of schools in March after the Coronavirus outbreak and the delay in the lifting of the lockdown made many teachers look at Plan B. For Mustafa Nanfumba, it was stepping into totally new and unfamiliar territory.

The school director of Mpigi Mixed School, found himself maintaining the school compound to save costs. He also does farming.

Nanfumba, together with his family members, slashes the grass, rakes it away, and maintains the school walkways in a big compound of Mpigi Mixed School.

He also works in the family garden and has a eucalyptus tree forest.

"This pandemic has caused a shift. The role of teachers in the community also has to change. We had someone who was maintaining the school compound. But, with no school income and no signs of school reopening, I had to look for a way that would save costs. I decided to work with my family to maintain the school compound," Nanfumba says. 

Nanfuma was born in Kabasanda, Butambala district to Hajji Ibrahim Mpungu and Hajjati Namuyomba. He retired from teaching as head teacher of Kibibi SS, Bukandula SS, Sserinya in Rakai and Bulo Parents, to start his own school.

Nanfumba said they stopped paying teachers in April. But the school still has other costs like water, security, and electricity but no income. They had stocked food for a term but, after closure, they had to give it out to teachers and other staff. Eventually, he resorted to gardening.

"If you need me, and I am not slashing the compound, you will find me farming. I even feel healthier as a result. Gardening is a great way to keep fit. It is a whole-body workout. From stretching to prune or weed, bending to dig and pushing to pulling a lawnmower, I exercise all my body muscles," he said.

The lockdown has also helped him to bond with children as he teaches them planting and how to care for the garden.

"My message to fellow teachers is the importance of not doing one job in life. Our social position is really important for the nation, but we have to also think about other things to cushion us from life changes," he said.

Since the lockdown on March 20, Nanfumba and his family have planted ground nuts, maintained the school compound, harvested trees, and cleared shrubs.

"I thank my family members for the support and spirit in which they took it," he said.

Nanfumba, who is now preparing to reopen, has over 1,000 students, about 300 of which are candidates.