(Published on Wednesday, February 9, 2022)
By Godfrey Ojore
From studying under tree shades and makeshift structures, pupils of Ajoba Primary School did not have hope that the situation would change.
Since the establishment of the school in 2003, it has grappled with the challenge of limited classrooms to facilitate smooth learning.
“During the rainy season, we hardly completed the day’s programme. Even during the dry season, the wind affected learning, but that is now history,” Maksency Abuko, the headteacher, said.
Currently, the school has an enrolment of over 900 learners, up from 745 before the COVID-19 lockdown.
In 2020, the Japan embassy in Uganda offered to support Ajoba Primary School, under its grant for grassroots human security.
They have constructed a three-classroom block and two pit-latrines, worth sh226m, for the school.
“I am happy to learn that the learning environment has motivated the teachers and pupils. This is an indicator of progress in the school development,” Fukuzawa Hidemoto, the Japanese ambassador, said during the handover of the building.
“This project was implemented with a focus on education to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” Fukuzawa added.
This is the second school that the Government of Japan has supported in Serere district. The first one was Adwenyi Primary School.
“We consider Japan a friend, indeed. Our schools do not have enough classrooms. The support came as a great relief to our teachers and children,” the LC5 chairperson, Stephen Ochola, said.
Lands minister Judith Nabakoba, who represented the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, hailed the Government of Japan for its generosity in supporting the country’s education sector.
“The Government is grateful for your support. Teachers, as we continue lobbying, I implore you to improve the education standards so that our pupils can shine as bright as this new building.
“We are committed to building classrooms because we have over nine million learners in primary school,” Nabakooba said.
NO MORE CHALLENGES
The Woman MP for Serere, who is also the state minister for fisheries, Hellen Adoa, said the new building will save learners from rain.
“Children want to learn, but sometimes the challenges of inadequate classrooms make them opt out. Modern classrooms can encourage learners to keep in school,” Adoa said.
The parents were happy that they have been relieved of the burden of cutting grass for making temporary classroom shelters.
“It has been a struggle to mobilise parents to get grass for thatching classrooms. Our role now remains to buy scholastic materials. I am grateful to the Japanese Government,” Joyce Agemo, a parent, said.
Anna Aguti, a Primary Seven pupil, said their lessons were often disrupted by rain and, therefore, the offer was a blessing.
“I feel like returning to Primary Five so that I can also enjoy the new classrooms and desks. Desks were a luxury in this school,” a happy Aguti said.
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