(This article was first published in the New Vision on April 20, 2022)
By Michael Onyinge
When Joan Apio was transferred to Teete Primary School in Kaberamaido district in 2017, she had many hurdles to jump. First, all her predecessors were male and a section of parents wondered whether she was competent enough to run the school. However, She has since disproved their fears.
The school population stood at 779 learners and the performance was poor with the majority failing their final exams with few in division four. The boys’ latrine was almost full and had weak structures. The district health assistant threatened to close the school over this.
“Since I had just been transferred to the school, I did not want it to be closed. I mobilised the parents who contributed funds for the construction of a new pit-latrine for boys,” Apio said.
Regarding performance, she worked with the teachers who supported the learners and for the last four years, there has not been any failures in primary leaving examinations (PLE).
As performance improved, so did the enrollment that was 908 by 2020. She also planted trees to protect the environment.
Lockdown Interventions
During the COVID-19 induced lockdowns on schools, the Government provided self-study materials for learners countrywide. The distribution was being handled by local councils and Apio visited nearby villages to ensure that pupils were served well.
In addition, through her encouragement, 300 pupils were enrolled for e-learning. During the lockdown, Apio said she would go to market at Alwa trading centre to sensitise her pupils about staying safe from COVID-19, teenage pregnancy and early marriages.
During these sessions, some parents would seek help on challenges with their children.
“One of the parents was worried that their son wanted to get married and had introduced a girl to them. I advised the parent on how to handle the matter and today, the boy is back in school,” Apio said. She gives another example of a girl who got pregnant and eloped after registering for PLE. Apio followed up the girl to do her final exams and she passed.
During the lockdown, she stayed at school and had a duty rota for the teachers who supported her every week. They would attend to children who came to school to seek guidance.
During the second lockdown, Apio said they provided study packages to learners to keep them busy. In addition, teachers would write work on the chalkboards that learners would come and copy and do the work from home.
The girls’ dormitory was also completed during the lockdown.
When schools were about to reopen, she reminded parents to return their children through sending notices that were read during church services. The school procured the necessities that were needed for the standard operating procedures, including masks for both teachers and the pupils that lacked them.
Schools Reopening
Upon the school reopening, Apio realised that the school had insuffi cient teachers. Two more teachers were recruited and paid by the Parents Teachers Association.
Apio said she had continued cooperating with parents and the management committee on how children can be supported with studies to avoid dropping out of school.
For example, in Primary Seven, Apio says there are two girls whose parents failed to support them. She requested the school management committee to support one of the girls and she took up the other.
Another girl had dropped out and Apio sponsored her to do a tailoring course at the Alwa Foundation Resource Centre.
To cater for the menstrual hygiene, Apio said she secured four changing uniforms and a room where the girls can change during their periods.
“Since we do not have enough rooms, we have agreed with one of the female teachers where girls go and change from whenever they have had a menstruation challenge.”
Co-Curricular Activities
At the school, co-curricular activities are taken seriously with learners participating in athletics and ballgames that include football, netball and volleyball.
In 2018, six pupils competed at the national ball games.
Appointment As Deputy Rdc
Apio said when she saw her name as deputy resident district commissioner of Amuru in March, she assumed it was someone else with a similar name.
“However, I went to crosscheck and found out it was me,” she said.
Apio initially accepted the appointment, but after discussing it with her family, she changed her mind and declined the position.
“I thanked the President for appointing me, but I told him to give me that chance later on after I have served the education sector,” she said.
The Local Leaders’ Take
The acting district education officer of Kaberamaido, Richard Elyebu, said Apio is known for utilising public funds well. For over six years, Apio has been the treasurer of the district academic committee. No money in her custody has ever gone missing,” Elyebu said.
He adds that Apio is a dedicated person when it comes to her duty and roles.
“No complaint has ever been brought against her in all schools she has served in,” Elyebu added.
The school is under the Church of Uganda foundation. Rev Canon Michael Owita, who is a priest in charge of such schools in Alwa sub-county, said Apio has never had any bad record since she was transferred to the school.
The LC3 chairperson, John Odongo, said Apio is the best headteacher in Alwa sub-county.
“No parent from Teete Primary School wants Apio to be transferred,” Odongo said. He said he had found out from parents and teachers that Apio is a unifying factor in the community.
Parents, Teachers Speak Out
Gertrude Arayo, a teacher who has served in Teete Primary School with three headteachers, said Apio has developed the institution, for example, she has improved the punctuality for all the pupils and teachers. She also said absenteeism has been reduced.
Alice Adupo, a parent, lauds Apio for her patience. “She allows pupils to study even if they have not paid the school dues in full,” Adupo said.
Stephen Olango, a parent, says Apio listens to parents whenever they have challenges. He adds that there are some parents who are hard to manage and may not listen to headteachers, but Apio works well with them.
Teopista Abuo, a parent, says she has been paying dues for her brothers and is impressed by Apio’s transparency.
“I did not collect a receipt at one time, but when I went back to pay the balance, she knew the amount I had cleared and what was pending,” Abuo said.
She added that Apio always shows the parents what’s done with the funds the schools gets.
Rebecca Ejang said she had been keen to see how children write or on how they are taught. She said she was contented to see that good work being done by children at school.
Who Is Apio?
Apio was born on May 4, 1974 to Albino Omel (deceased) and Florence Anango in Oyomai village Kamuda sub-county in Soroti district.
She studied from Fr Hilder’s Primary School and sat her Primary Leaving Examinations in 1989. She joined Kaberamaido Secondary School and sat O’level final exams in 1993. She later joined Soroti Core PTC between 1994- 1996.
Apio attained her diploma in primary education from Kyambogo University in 2000-2004 and her degree from Islamic University in Uganda in 2007- 2010.
Apio taught at Aminit Primary School (Soroti), Ochero and Gwetom primary schools in Kaberamaido.
She became a senior education assistant in Gwetom and served in Katingi Primary School as well.
Apio was later appointed the acting headteacher in Gwetom Primary School and confirmed as headteacher in 2014.
Apio is also a treasurer for Alwa sub-county headteachers’ association and also for Kaberamaido district academics committee.
She is also a treasurer for All Saints Catholic Parish headquarters in Alwa.
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