Oil companies urged to support education as CNOOC awards top students

KIKUUBE, September 18, 2024 — Kikuube district leaders have called on oil and gas companies operating in the Bunyoro Subregion to support the government in improving educational infrastructure such as classrooms.

The call was made by Vincent Opio, the district LCV Vice-chairperson while speaking at the CNOOC Best Performers Award 2024 ceremony held at the Kikuube district headquarters.

CNOOC Uganda, currently developing the Kingfisher oil field in Buhuka Parish, Kyagwali Sub-county, recently recognised 218 top performers from Hoima and Kikuube districts in the 2023 Primary Leaving Examination [PLE], Uganda Certificate of Education [UCE], and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education [UACE] under its corporate social responsibility initiative, the “CNOOC Best Performers Award”.

Opio highlighted that many areas in the district, particularly those near CNOOC operations, lack secondary schools, preventing primary seven graduates from continuing their education as their parents are poor to send to far away schools.

He emphasised that many government-aided primary schools suffer from inadequate infrastructure, including insufficient classrooms, staff quarters, and textbooks, negatively impacting students’ learning experiences.

“These awards are commendable as they motivate our children to excel academically, but we need more strategies to enhance school infrastructure and address other challenges so that that rural children also benefit from such initiatives,” he said.

Kikuube District Education Officer, Deogratious Byakagaba noted that while the awards encourage competition among candidates, many from disadvantaged backgrounds remain overlooked.

He pointed out that overcrowding is a significant issue, with classrooms designed for 53 students often accommodating 92. Furthermore, the district faces a teacher shortage, with only 658 out of the needed 1,297 teachers currently recruited.

Byakagaba also highlighted the lack of sanitary facilities in schools, where the standard ratio is one latrine for every 20 pupils, but in Kikuube, one latrine serves 58 students. Additionally, furniture shortages are prevalent, with desks intended for three students often shared by five.

He urged development partners, including oil companies, to intervene, stating, “If these challenges are not addressed, it will be difficult for students to achieve the four aggregates required for the awards, leaving many deserving candidates sidelined.”

CNOOC Media and Publicity Manager Amina Bukenya remarked that the award programme, initiated in 2012, aims to promote education in the area and has benefited over 930 students to date. This year, a total of US$ 12,000 has been awarded to the best-performing students, with a commitment to continue supporting educational initiatives as oil development progresses.

https://thecooperator.news/army-argues-education-ministry-should-host-kiswahili-council/

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