(This article was first published in the New Vision on May 11, 2022)
By Tom Gwebayanga
At Kamuli Girls’ Boarding Primary School in Kamuli Municipality, Kamuli district, one is welcomed by a talking compound, dotted with signposts of encouraging messages.
The headteacher, Joy Kasana Muwanika, 50, is among the first three people the girls meet in the school compound. Kasana, who was nicknamed Maama Kasana or Maama Girls, welcomes them with hugs and knows each by name.
Since being posted to the school in 2017, Kasana has changed its face with the construction of a dormitory block, staff quarters and improved its academic performance.
GIRLS’ EDUCATION, RIGHTS
“I am a crusader for child protection, respect for women, girl-child rights and gender-based violence issues,” she says.
Kasana cautions girls on the consequences of premarital sex, getting married and/or pregnant before they are adults. She also partnered with Plan International to set up the Children’s Apex Council, a girl child rights platform.
“On this platform, girls share their challenges, like lack of menstrual pads, neglect and torture by parents. The girls also present papers and documentaries to the Parliament,” she says.
Personalities, such as Old Girls with high profiles, are invited to talk to the learners to inspire them. The Old Girls also donate scholastic materials.
“She has the acumen to mobilise parents, and lobby development partners to support the school. Her initiatives are paying off,” Sharif Isabirye, a parent from Bulangaire in Buyende district, said.
Kasana also holds meetings with communities, urging them to respect children’s rights and support education.
To ensure good menstrual hygiene, Kasana lobbied Plan International, to construct two modern washrooms where the girls can change, wash and hang their reusable pads to dry.
To impart spiritual discipline, Kasana set up a Scripture Union where the girls undertake pastoral and congregation responsibilities. They also have a religious hour everyday, to recite Bible scriptures and Sunday services.
Construction Staff Units
The deputy headteacher, Joseph Nabyayi, said in the past, the staff used to share rooms in a block which was meant to be the girls’ dormitory. Other staff rented rooms in Kamuli town, about 2.5km away from the school. He said this affected performance because some teachers would miss lessons.
Using contributions worth sh75m from Old Girls and friends, between 2017 and 2018, Kasana oversaw the construction of three staff units, each accommodating three teachers. The self-contained units were completed in 2019.
In 2018, Kasana, expanded the school garden to one-and-a-half acres and the vegetable plots. Crops grown include bananas, cassava and maize that supplement the learners’ diet. The school also has heifers which provide milk. The two ventures are also learning aids.
Academic Performance
Since her posting, the number of learners who attain first division in the Primary Leaving Examinations has been increasing by the year. The school registered 40, 62, 48 and 56 first grades in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Kasana attributes the improvement to interventions, such as good planning, increasing staff, regular assessment tests and reducing the teacher to pupil ratio.
Kasana also attributes her success to teamwork by the staff, parents, pupils and the school management committee.
Achievements
During her tenure, the school has acquired a four-classroom block, staff quarters and a nursery section, which was established with the support of the Early Childhood Centre.
The school enrolment also has increased to 800 from 320. Staff have increased to 40 from 25 and the cows have multiplied to 15, from five.
COVID-19 Interventions
Asked how she handled the COVID-19-induced lockdown on schools, Kasana said she used the meagre resources to buy soap, jerrycans and masks. Some funds came from the Government and legislators, including the former Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga.
The administration ensured that the standard operating procedures were observed. To ensure social distancing during lessons, the school hired part-time teachers.
For some pupils who were traumatised after losing their parents and relatives to the pandemic, Kasana held counselling sessions with them.
Co-Curricular Activities
Through the six years of Kasana’s headship, the school has participated in co-curricular activities and won prizes. Games undertook include volleyball, netball, athletics, music, football and cricket, with competitions at both district and regional levels.
Challenges
Kasana said some parents have a negative attitude towards education, with some failing to provide food for their children. In the rural schools, she has served, Kasana says she had to ask parents to provide 3kg of maize and sh2,000 for milling.
Her Professional Journey
Kasana found 180 pupils and dilapidated structures at Butabaala Primary School.
“The classrooms had leaking roofs, no shutters in the doors and no windows. She lobbied for two new classroom blocks,” Muzamiru Kolobbe, a member of the SMC, says.
By the time she left Butabaala, the school had acquired a Uganda National Examinations Board centre number.
In Nawansaso, she initiated an early grade reading system, where pupils were taught in Lusoga, the local language.
Golden Tips
- Kasana’s success has been attributed to being a good time manager and keen planner, backed by teamwork.
- Respect and transparency with parents are also some of her winning tips.
Who is Kasana?
The chairperson of the Kamuli Women’s Guild in Kamuli municipality is the last born in the family of David Mudusu, a former clergyman and Edith Mudusu, a retired teacher. She attended Buckley High School, Iganga for Primary and Iganga Secondary School for O’level. She then joined Nazigo Teachers College in Kayunga district, to qualify as a Grade III teacher. She proceeded to Busitema University for a diploma and later a bachelor’s in education.
She first taught at Kiwoleera Army Primary in Nabwigulu, then Nawango in Bugulumbya, where she was also the senior woman. She was elevated to deputy headteacher and, later, headteacher of Butabaala Primary School. She served at Nawansaso, Buwudha in Kiwoleera before being posted to Kamuli Girls in 2017. She’s married to Dr Martin Muwanika, the municipality production officer, with four children.
Agataliiko Nfuufu Club
Kasana championed the school writers’ club to birth Bukedde TV’s Agataliiko Nfuufu team. The 30-member writers’ club broadcasts news bulletins. Ronald Ngobi, the teacher in charge of the club, said its purpose is to shape future journalists.
Others Speak
Sam Opio, parent
She’s a talented mobiliser and lenient when demanding fees. She always follows up with the parents.
Moses Ddumba, former RDC
She does not discriminate against anyone, which is why God blesses her works.
Betty Mmungo, parent
The way she transformed the school with the construction of the new blocks is remarkable
