MASINDI, December 5, 2024: In an effort to enhance access to secondary education, Masindi District Local Government has initiated the construction of a Shs 2 billion seed secondary school in Labongo Sub-county.
This marks the first government-aided secondary school in a sub-county that encompasses 20 villages. For years, many students from the sub-county have been travelling long distances to access secondary education, with the nearest schools located over 10 kilometres away in Pakanyi Sub-county, and 15 kilometres away in Masindi Town Council.
The official launch of the school’s construction took place in Kilanyi Village on Tuesday, with Darius Nandinda, the Resident District Commissioner [RDC] of Masindi, leading the event. Local leaders and residents praised government for this educational project, which is expected to reduce school dropouts caused by the long distances students previously had to travel.
Residents interviewed by theCooperator expressed that the absence of a secondary school in the area for many years has severely impacted the academic standards of the sub-county. They explained that many children had been forced to stop at Primary Seven, as Labongo Sub-county had never had a modern secondary school before.
James Balikurungi, the LCIII Chairperson of Labongo Sub-county, noted that the new school would save parents significant costs, as some had been renting accommodations for their children in far-off areas to enable them to continue their studies after completing primary education.
“This school, [to be named St. Andrea Kahwa Seed School], will reduce the dropout rate, improve our academic standards, and stimulate development in the area. I thank the central government for considering our needs,” Balikurungi said.
Kanaginagi Ateenyi, the Vice Chairperson of the ruling National Resistance Movement [NRM] in Masindi district, challenged the contractor to ensure that high-quality work is delivered. “We are all watching this project closely, and we don’t want any work that could reflect poorly on the NRM government,” he said.
The school is being built under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme (UGIFT), and the land for the project has been provided by Hoima Catholic Diocese.
Father Godfrey Barungi, the headteacher of St. Andrea Kahwa Seed School, shared that the Church and the local community had initially started with temporary structures before receiving assistance from the government. The school currently enrols 108 students in Senior One and Two, with expectations of a sharp increase in student numbers once the construction of permanent classroom blocks is completed. “We are surrounded by many primary schools, and we expect to see an influx of Primary Seven graduates. I am grateful to the government for its support,” he said.
Alfred Ochen, the Acting District Engineer, explained that the construction of the modern school is expected to take two months and will include two classroom blocks, two science rooms, staff quarters, a rainwater harvesting system with a 5,000-litre tank, VIP latrines, an ICT room, a football pitch, and other essential facilities.
“The project will be carried out by Semo Construction Company Limited. We will take a keen interest in ensuring quality control throughout. My appeal to the community is to support this project,” Ochen added.
Eng. Moses Semo of Semo Construction Company Limited assured that the project would be completed on time and to a high standard. He also called for the support of both the community and local leaders to ensure the work proceeds smoothly.
RDC Nandinda warned the contractor against shoddy work, emphasising that close supervision would be carried out. “We want to ensure that this project is of the highest standard. If any issues arise, they must be addressed promptly. The community must also ensure that value for money is achieved. I urge the parents to prioritise the education of their children now that access is no longer an issue,” Nandinda said.
Aled Ronald Akugizibwe, the Member of Parliament for Buruli County, praised the government for constructing four new schools in his constituency. “Buruli has long been disadvantaged in terms of access to secondary education. The literacy levels are also low, and many children have stopped at Primary Seven,” he said.
Cosmas Byaruhanga, the Masindi District LCV Chairperson, urged local leaders to mobilise the community to embrace the new school and make the most of the opportunity. “The government is committed to providing the school with all the necessary equipment, qualified teachers, and technical support. Take advantage of this opportunity to educate your children, as education is the most valuable gift you can give them,” Byaruhanga said.
Monica Kiiza, the Acting District Education Officer for Masindi, called for active parental involvement to ensure the school’s success and the academic achievement of its students.
https://thecooperator.news/construction-of-shs-3-3bln-seed-school-stalls-in-masindi-district/
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