By KT Reporter
Parents have been urged to prioritize education if they are to have a brighter and more focused future for generations to come.
This was the appeal by various speakers during the commemoration of the 100-years of the existence of Ediofe Boys Primary School that was attended by hundreds of people on Saturday.
The School, a Catholic Founded, believed to be so far the oldest Primary School in Arua Diocese and West Nile, was established in 1923 by the Comboni Missionaries led by Rev. Fr. Wright Tee near Ediofe Catholic Cathedral Church for both boys and Girls.
In 1925, the Girls were separated from the boys and moved to the current Ediofe Girls Primary school premises, given under management of St. Mary’s Little Sisters while the boys were handed to the management of Sacred Heart Ediofe Cathedral.
With Rev. Sister Alvano as its first head teacher deputized by Rev, Brother Joseph all Comboni Missionaries and then subsequent heads teachers like Mr. Mark Buatru 1975-2001, Rev. Bro. Peter Acidri 2002-2006, Mr. Alfred Acidri 2007, Mr. Alfred Angundru 2007-2011, Rev. Bro. Albert Ayiko 2011-2012, Rev. Bro. Ruffino 2012-2016, Mr. Kennedy Ezale 2016-2018 and Mr. Victor Alioni from 2020 to date, the school has to date shaped over 500,000 boys into useful Citizens.
The celebrations were held under the theme: 100 Years of Sustainable Legacy, Knowledge and Opportunities, Shaping Generations for the Future.
Speaking during the Centenary celebrations at Ediofe Primary School grounds, Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki the Bishop of Arua Catholic Diocese who presided over the Holy Mass commended the Comboni Missionaries for setting up a good precedence and urged the faithful to take up the challenge of constructing better structures for the school.
Victor Alioni the current head teacher of Ediofe Boys Primary School applauded the Parents and Old Boys for supporting the school and called for a more holistic effort to make education more impactful in the changing world.
Raymond Ombere the City Education Officer Arua revealed that Arua City has a classroom deficit of over 1500 to attain the required pupil-classroom ratio for better learning outcomes and further called on government to bridge this gap.
Godfrey Jonah Mbigitti the Deputy RCC Arua in charge of Ayivu Division, appealed to the parents to support government effort in educating the children.
Ediofe Boys primary school currently has a total of 1625 boys and gave 10 first graders last year as compared to only 4 in 2023 and continues to grapple with dilapidated and inadequate classroom structures and staff quarters some of which were built during the colonial times.
The occasion was also used to fundraise for construction of Centenary Classroom block estimated to cost over UGX 500 million-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
