Paicho Primary School fights absenteeism with food
GULU-By growing its own food, Paicho Primary School in Gulu district hopes to reduce absenteeism and improve its performance in Primary Leaving Examinations [PLE].
Bosco Odokonyero, the head teacher of the government-aided school said the school started its farming programme in 2020 when schools in the country were closed following the coronavirus outbreak.
“The first time, we grew beans and sunflower which we sold off. When schools reopened, we started growing maize and beans which we feed the pupils and teachers,” he said.
Odokonyero said they use part of the funds contributed through the Parents Teachers Association [PTA] to pay labourers who dig and plant seeds while the pupils help with weeding.
To easily manage the gardens, the school plants crops at different periods for easy management.
Odokonyero however said the school faces a challenge of lack of proper storage facilities, saying they currently store their crop harvests in one of the classrooms.
Pupils who spoke to the theCooperator said that being able to eat lunch at school has helped them concentrate better in the afternoon compared to when they would attend class on empty stomachs.
Paicho Primary School currently has an enrolment of just over 700 pupils.
The school had one first grade in the 2021 PLE, 49 in second grade and 2 in third grade out of 53 candidates who sat the national exams. The school hopes to improve this year.
“Our pupils report to school by 7:00 am. No one returns home for lunch because it is served at school. This way, pupils don’t dodge lessons,” Odokonyero said.
Other primary schools like Lukome, Panyikworo, Oguru, and Awach, among others, are also growing their own crops to feed pupils.
Opiyo Christopher Ateker, the Gulu district LCV Chairperson applauded the schools for the initiative, saying it is in line with the government policy on ensuring that all learners are fed.
According to Unicef, undernourishment impairs a child’s concentration and ability to retain information and starves the brain of sufficient nutrients, stunting its growth and development.
The UN child Agency says that when children can’t learn properly, their school journey, and their future prospects, are compromised.
https://thecooperator.news/diminishing-presence-of-granaries-a-recipe-for-food-insecurity-in-teso/
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