High operational costs hinder school progress in Mukono
A delegation from the Office of the National Chairman (ONC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), led by Mr. JB Wamala, the District Coordinator for Mukono, conducted a courtesy visit to Mukono Town Muslim Primary School. The visit was part of the ONC’s ongoing efforts to monitor and evaluate the performance of government-aided schools across the country.
The team was warmly received by Mr. Olupot Nicholas, the Director of Studies, who represented the school’s headmaster. The purpose of the visit was to assess pupil enrollment, evaluate the school’s progress, and identify key challenges affecting the learning environment.
School Overview:
Mukono Town Muslim Primary School, a government-aided institution, currently enrolls 820 pupils, including 60 candidates. The school has demonstrated academic success, with 28 pupils achieving first grades and 92 securing second grades in the recent PLE results. The Primary One class comprises 70 pupils, with 25 boys and 45 girls.
Benefits Highlighted:
During an interactive session with the ONC team, Mr. Olupot outlined several benefits the school has received from government support, including:
– The renovation of seven classroom blocks and toilets.
– Provision of textbooks for upper classes through the capitation grant.
– Timely payment of teachers’ salaries by the government.
Challenges Identified:
Despite these achievements, the school faces challenges that hinder its operations and the quality of education provided. These include:
1. Delayed release of UPE funds, which disrupts the smooth running of school programs.
2. Late reporting of pupils in Term One, resulting in low enrollment at the start of the academic year.
3. Inadequate desks, forcing pupils to study in uncomfortable conditions.
4. High costs of power and water, which strain the school’s limited resources.
Mr. Wamala emphasized the impact of these challenges on the school’s performance and the well-being of both pupils and teachers. He reiterated the ONC’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to address these issues and improve the learning environment.
The team pledged to work closely with relevant authorities to resolve the challenges faced by Mukono Town Muslim Primary School, aiming to create a more conducive learning environment for its pupils and staff.
