(This article was first published in the New Vision on October 12, 2022)
By Robert Adiga
The headteacher of Ogenda Girls High School in Pakwach district, Jackline Nyambogo, noticed that 32 girls were missing a couple of days after the school reopened early this year.
When Nyambogo inquired, she learnt that some of the girls had become mothers while others were pregnant.
“I had sleepless nights. I started looking for the girls to get them back to school,” she says. Through home visits and regular talks, Nyambogo reveals that she convinced nine girls to return to the only girls’ school in the district.
“Five had babies while four were pregnant. I contacted Pakiya Health Centre in Pakwach district, which offered the expectant girls antenatal services while they attended school,” she adds.
“When they were about to deliver, I sent them home and urged their parents to bring them back to school after.”
Keeping Girls In School
Nyambogo says for motivation, she counselled the students to reintegrate them into the school, which has a population of 184.
To ensure that teaching went on after the lockdown, Nyambogo lobbied Field of Life, a community-based organisation, which gave a one-off sh300,000 to each of the six teachers who are paid wages by parents.
“The PTA (Parents Teachers Association) did not want to return to school after the lockdown, but I got an organisation to motivate them. The school has 15 teachers on government payroll,” she adds.
Nyambogo says she was on talkshows sponsored by the Field of Life on Pakwach FM, a local radio station, to mobilise the learners and parents to send their children back to school after the Government announced their reopening in January.
During Sunday services at different worship centres, such as Pagwaya, Pajobi and Padochi Anglican churches, Nyambogo urged learners and parents to embrace education.
Teaching During Lockdown
Nyambogo served on the committee which was constituted by the district education department to teach learners through local radio stations during the COVID-19 lockdown between 2020 and 2021. She taught geography twice a week on Pakwach FM.
“We would get feedback from learners through phone calls to the radio. This encouraged us to continue, knowing that the students were listening,” she says.
Nyambogo also participated in the distribution of learning materials sent by the Government to more than 200 students.
During the lockdown between May and December 2020, she taught students at her house in Pakwach Town Council.
“Students would come to my house thrice a week. Each time, they were more than 30.
I helped them study the learning materials and answered their questions,” Nyambogo adds. “I also counselled more than 50 people, including learners, teachers and parents, during the lockdown.”
Girls’ Education
Nyambogo was deployed to the school as headteacher in 2018. She is a member of a local women’s association and a teachers’ organisation which mobilise resources to sponsor girls in school from poor families.
“There were only four teachers on Government payroll when I was posted to the hard-to-reach school. Many teachers did not like teaching here,” she adds.
“Previously, our students have passed in second and third divisions. I am hopeful there will be change now that we have more teachers.”
Nyambogo has also given the school a facelift by installing doors and renovating the dilapidated structures.
It should be noted that the school started as a community facility and was taken over by the Government in 2010.
Currently, for school fees, day scholars pay sh175,000 while boarders pay sh300,000.
Agriculture
Under her leadership, the students have cultivated vegetables and raised 40 goats and four cows on part of the school’s 17 acres. Nyambogo says the activities on the school farm are spearheaded by students of the agricultural club, with the guidance of the subject teacher.
“We have also ventured into piggery. We have four pigs now. This is in line with the new curriculum, which is promoting skills,” she adds.
Nyambogo encourages students to have weekly debates in Kiswahili, in order to get familiar with the language.
The school has one teacher of Kiswahili who has been teaching Senior One and two since the reopening. The teacher is paid by parents.
In the area of sports, Nyambogo is forming a football team of girls at the school.
“Our team recently qualified to participate in the regional football competitions in this area, but was disappointed by the limited funds from the district to support them,” she adds
What Others Say
Robert Steen Omito, Pakwach District Chairperson
Nyambogo has exhibited commitment and love towards educating the girl child. Her tremendous contribution to the education sector has earned her respect from teachers, parents and civil servants.
Nickson Tingho, Pta Chairperson
Nyambogo has renovated the school and motivated parents to promote its development. With regular meetings, she has encouraged parents to support and keep their children in school.
Rev. Eston Opakrwoth, Board Of Governors Chairperson
Nyambogo wants her learners to get the best and stay in school. She is a blessing to Ogenda Girls High School and the surrounding community. Through her radio programmes, she serves the district.
Patrick Muwundi, Parent
In the past, we were not part of the decision-making processes as parents. Currently, Nyambogo motivates us to be involved in development programmes. We feel a part of the school. We are encouraged to support girls through their education.
Christine Acayo, District Education Officer
Nyambogo is a dedicated and passionate teacher who does her administrative activities under minimum supervision. She is gradually uplifting the school, as seen from the increased enrolment, despite the poor infrastructure. She is a big asset. She is a mother and counsellor to the girls
Golden Tips
- Be open-minded
- Know what you want and go for it
- Determination leads to success
- Do not always expect to get the best
- Make sacrifices
- A good teacher is never forgotten
Fact File
- 1991: Sat Primary Leaving Exams at Summit View Primary School, Kampala
- 1995: Wrote Uganda Certificate of Education examinations at Warr Girl Secondary School, Zombo
- 1998: Sat Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations at Iganga Secondary School
- 2001: Graduated with a diploma in education from National Teachers College Muni
- 2002-2007: Teacher at Wadilai Secondary School, Pakwach district
- 2010: Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Ndejje University
- 2010-2012: Teacher at Excel College, Pakwach
- 2012-2018: Teacher at Paroketu Secondary School, Pakwach district
- 2018 to date: Headteacher at Ogenda Girls High School, Panyango sub-county in Pakwach district.