A group of people from greater Ngoma, Nakaseke district under their umbrella body Greater Ngoma Development Foundation whose sole purpose is identifying community problems and finding solutions has donated 60 beds as well as launched 20 government computers to Kinyogoga Seed Secondary School as part of the initiatives of boosting education within the region.
Professor Wilber Ahebwa, the Chairperson of Greater Ngoma Development Foundation said the 60 beds donation followed a tip-off by the school board chairman who is also a foundation member that students were sleeping on the floor.
He says this could not only affect performance but also expose students to diseases like malaria since they had no proper way of using mosquito nets.
“This triggered debates amongst ourselves thus opting to raise some money to buy our children beds,” he said.
The 20 computers, Ahebwa says are government programs that only required follow-up which the foundation has effectively done through approaching and pressurizing where necessary relevant authorities as part of the efforts of transforming societies.
The foundation groonded for growth with objectives of mindset Change, unity, a social-economic transformation which directly feeds into the National Development Plan, lobbying and advocacy brings together greater Ngoma borns with adverse knowledge about their society to push for their own transformed better society.
“We bring everyone on board including political leaders strictly for community service so as to join knowledge on how we can transform our societies,” he said.
Presiding over the launch, honorable Kabuye Kyoffatogabye, the Minister of State for Kampala and also a born of the area applauded the foundation for always spearheading developments
“Pleased to see the borns of the area joining hands to support its development. We’re privileged that you have pulled us a hand as I always tell you Nakaseke we don’t wait for the government,” he said.
Sarah Najjuma, the Nakaseke woman MP also thanked the foundation for desisting from politics but rather working with all people in transforming the lives of the community.
“We thank you for always identifying area problems and for always rooting for solutions in a timely manner,” she said.
The Nakaseke Resident District Commissioner Fred Bamwine applauded Greater Ngoma for the continuous generosity that has moved the area a great milestone thus urging parents to remain committed to educating their children within their home schools.
“Today is a great milestone that we’re shifting from sleeping down to beds, use of computers is also another good initiative achieved,” he said.
“However, I want to confess before you that I have three degrees and several certificates but I studied from schools like this one, I also cross-checked with fellow RDCs and only a few are from Ntare but when we speak, we don’t speak cricked English, I want to assure you there’s no bad school,” he added.
The Headteacher Kinyogoga Seed Secondary School, Swaibu Musisi Nkemba said the foundation did them great service thus urging parents to bring in more students.
“I now want to appeal to you parents to bring in more students because, with these continuous aids from Greater Ngoma Development Foundation, we’re steadily progressing,” he said.
Meanwhile, irrespective of all the efforts of equipping the school with all required necessities, the rate of school dropouts triggered debate amongst dignitaries present.
The school HeadTeacher reported that 27 girls with the highest being candidates had dropped out of school following the prolonged lockdown period.
“Before covid, at least the numbers were a bit better especially in s.4 where the number was about 20 compared to 8 students that reported back,” he said.
The Headteacher reported that according to preliminary investigations, the dropouts are attributed to marrying off these students.
He said, with the ongoing dropouts, the number cannot even sustain the school UNEB center number thus calling for a joint effort between school administration, the PTA, and local leaders to come on the groond sensitize parents on the importance of education particularly to the girl child.
According to Robert Kinyenya, the Nakaseke North Education Officer Nakaseke north, it was estimated that 10 percent of students drop out as a result of early marriages attributing the prevalence of the vice to the mentality of seeing girls as marriage materials.
He however noted that they have pulled up their socks to prohibit and curb the vice working closely with legal authorities.
“We’re now considering working closely with community leaders, police, and all stakeholders to sensitize people on the effects of early marriages,” he said.
The minister cautioned parents about child marriages urging that It’s against the law and whoever doesn’t desist from it shall be arrested
“Such prevents girls from developing skills, knowledge, and confidence to make informed decisions,” he said.
The area woman parliamentary representative, Sarah Najjuma implored parents to appreciate the value of education by taking their children to school other than pushing them into early marriages
“Much as I urge you, students, to prioritize education for a brighter future, your parents must also know and desist from engaging you up in early marriages,” she said.
In the essence of curbing this prevailing vice more so within the greater Ngoma cattle corridor, the RDC committed to fighting early marriages thus urging the PTA chairperson and headteacher to report and have such cases of child marriages that transpired in the prolonged lockdown period traced.
“All of us must join hands and I assure you parents in my followups I will without fear or favor arrest parents marrying off a child who hasn’t reached 20 years inclusive of local and religious leaders that preside over such ceremonies,” he said.
Prof Wilber Ahebwa chairman of Greater Ngoma development foundation said they (the foundation) are set to organize talks to enlighten parents and all men on why it is important to take girls to school like any other child.
“We want to tell them that those cows they have tomorrow they might not have but education is the only forever investment they can give to their children,” he said.
He noted that they are also committed to further lobbying for the school and community in general and in this regard he pledged to individually construct a school canteen which will be rented out to prevent students from moving around the trading center in disguise of buying essentials.
