(This article was first published in the New Vision on March 23, 2022)
By Moses Bikala
When Ham Mugema was posted to Nakalama Secondary School in 2014, he realised that the lack of lunch, indiscipline by the learners and poor teacher welfare, were responsible for the poor performance of the pupils. The school had last got a first grade in 1987.
Restoring Discipline
“The students would leave school for lunch and would not return, until the next day,” he said.
Some students would also sneak out during class hours and return drunk, disrupting school activities. Teachers, too, would leave school at lunch and would not return to conduct afternoon lessons.
To resolve this, Mugema urged parents to contribute sh50,000 for maize flour and beans every term, to provide lunch for learners. Mugema also introduced a six-person disciplinary committee to punish students and teachers who violate school regulations.
Involving Parents
Despite parents being key stakeholders, they had been left out. Thus, Mugema instituted regular meetings with parents and teachers to discuss how to improve the academic performance, staff welfare and discipline.
The school could not accommodate the increasing student population. Mugema engaged parents who raised sh300m for a four-classroom block, which was completed in 2019.
The chairperson of the Parents-Teachers Association, Salim Mwase, said Mugema is a good listener who values people’s views.
Improving Performance
In a bid to motivate staff, Mugema ensured that their allowances are paid promptly. Teachers who conduct lessons outside working hours are paid an allowance, which keeps them motivated. They earn sh10,000 for every extra hour and for weekend lessons.
To improve grades, Mugema introduced a cash award of sh20,000 to teachers for each distinction at O’level and sh10,000 for each credit in the final examinations.
For learners, whoever scores a first division at O’level earned sh100,000.
His reforms are bearing fruit as the enrolment rose from 404 to 866 students by close of his first year at the school.
In 2015, the numbers increased to 1,008. In 2016, enrolment shot up to 1,256; 1,389 (2017) and 1,440 in 2018.
Currently, the school has 1,610 students, with 1,024 of them girls.
In 2015, the school registered three first division students, 22 second division and no failures. In 2016, it got six first grade students. In 2017, there were four students who got first grade, which increased to seven in 2018 and eight in 2019.
Keeping Girls In School
After realising that many female students were not returning for A’level, Mugema urged parents to ensure their daughters complete their education. Consequently, the number of female students keeps increasing by the year.
In addition, Mugema also asked parents to raise sh60m towards the construction of a four-stance pit-latrine for girls in 2018.
Patricia Kagoya, a student, described Mugema as a parent who spares time every week to offer career guidance and educating girls about dangers of teenage pregnancy.
She said Mugema also invites non-governmental organisations to offer counselling sessions for girls.
“During the sessions, we receive sanitary pads and skills that have empowered us,” she said.
At the start of Mugema’s tenure, the school had a debt of sh10.3m. A big portion of the debt was for suppliers of stationery.
To pay the debt, Mugema halted special dishes like meat, chicken and rice for teachers for two months.
The Iganga district education officer, Baker Kasadakawo, said Mugema efficiently utilises government funds.
He urged other headteachers to emulate Mugema by being creative and working hard.
Challenges
Mugema says the school lacks sufficient electricity to power computers in the laboratory and for lighting.
There is inadequate infrastructure to accommodate the increasing population.
Parents do not clear fees in time, which affects school activities. There is a high drop-out rate of girls.
Activities
In a bid to improve co-curricular activities in school, Mugema lobbied parents to contribute funds for the activity. The funds are used to buy jerseys for the football and netball teams, and refreshments during games.
Over the weekends, he counsels athletes about balancing books and sports, while encouraging them to work hard. The school football and netball team has for the past 10 years emerged winners in Kigulu south constituency and taken part in district competitions.
COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Mugema offered counselling sessions to his students through a WhatsApp group.
“I would send a message to the parent, asking them to give the phone to the student in the evening to conduct the counselling sessions,” he said.
Mugema would urge the students to avoid risky behaviour, like engaging in sex. To ensure schools re-open fully Mugema set up a vaccination centre at the school, where 1,223 students received the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Other members of the public were also allowed to take part in the vaccination exercise
Who is Mugema?
Mugema was born on February 14, 1965 and attended Busesa Mixed Boarding Primary School in Bugweri, St James Secondary School in Jinja for O’level and A’level. He then joined National Teachers College Masindi and, later, Makerere University, where he pursued a bachelor’s degree in education. Mugema also holds a postgraduate diploma in management from the Uganda Management Institute in Kampala. He has previously served as headteacher for Buweswa Secondary School in Manafwa district. Mugema is married and has three children
Others Speak
Ismael Salongo, Kawanguzi LC3 chairperson of Nakalama sub-county: Mugema has turned the school into an academic giant. People used to mock us, but I am now proud of the school. Brendha Kawudha, teacher: Mugema offers allowances to teachers during staff meetings, which motivates them
Deborah Mwesigwa, the Resident District Commissioner: I had instructed the CAO to seek ways of increasing the wage bill to ensure teachers are posted to the school for better results. Parents have now realised that the school can produce good results.
Denis Baita, teacher: Mugema has helped groom teachers become future leaders by inspiring them be hardworking.
Plans
- Purchase more land for the school from neighbours
- Extend clean piped water
- Construct more infrastructure to accommodate the increasing population of students
- Lobby for recruitment of more teachers.
