By KT Reporter
Leaders in Nwoya District have called on private schools to actively participate in the annual Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) competition to promote talent, culture and social transformation among young learners in primary schools.
The call followed the recently concluded two-day Nwoya district MDD competition held at Anaka Primary school in Anaka Town Council between Monday and Tuesday, where government-aided schools dominated the stage.
The MDD competition held under the theme “Safe Learning Environment for Social Transformation in School” attracted six government-aided schools from Purongo, Lungulu, Anaka, and Alero Sub-counties and Koch Goma and Anaka Town councils.
Anaka Central Primary School emerged winner of this year’s MDD competition after scoring 1,196 marks, defeating five other primary schools. Alero Primary school took the second position, scoring 1,039 marks, followed by Nwoya Primary school that scored 1,009 marks, while Purongo Primary School came in fourth position with 935 marks. Oruka Primary School came in the fifth position with 874 marks, while Koch Amaa trailed with 776 marks.
Boniface Acellam, the Nwoya District Senior Inspector of Schools, however, expressed concerns over the non-participation of private schools in the MDD competition despite a number of them registered in the district.
Acellam noted that the attitude contravenes the Ministry of Education’s efforts to promote MDD in schools, adding that MDD is a part of the primary school curriculum, which should be undertaken by all registered schools.
According to Acellam, out of the numerous Private schools in the district, only one private school, Destiny Primary School, competed at the zonal level, while other primary schools shunned the MDD competition.
Nwoya District has an estimated 70 private primary schools registered with the district education department.
Michael Opwonya, the Assistant Nwoya Resident District Commissioner, cautioned private school heads in the district against shunning the competition and called on the district education department to take action.
Opwonya noted that the district will schedule a meeting with private school heads in a move aimed at courting them to appreciate the importance of participating in the MDD competition.
“We should call the directors of private schools who didn’t send in children to participate in the competition,” Opwonya suggested.
Benjamin Okello, the MDD chairperson for Agago district, who was also an adjudicator during the competition, however, stressed that the lack of funds remains a big challenge for many primary schools, limiting their abilities to take part in such competitions.
For instance, Okello cited that in Agago district, which has some 26 sub-counties, sometimes only 13 primary schools send in participants for the district MDD competition, adding that sometimes others who go through fail to make it for the regional competitions.
The Nwoya district MDD competition was supported by the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) in partnership with Total Energies Uganda as a broader initiative towards promoting heritage education in schools.
“These competitions go beyond entertainment. They amplify children’s voices on issues that affect them and their communities, from environmental conservation to education and public health, all through the lens of their heritage,” said Simon Musasizi, the CCFU’s Programmes Manager.
Musasizi noted that noted that this year’s competitions marked the second consecutive year that CCFU, in partnership with Total Energies Uganda, have supported both Nwoya and Buliisa districts to enable learners to showcase their talents and compete for slots at the District, Regional and National MDD levels.
This year’s competition featured 14 categories, including Western Set Piece, NIRA Anthem, Folk Dances, Malaria Awareness songs, original composition African style, traditional folk songs, poetry (school pay and climate change), sight singing, instrumental composition, vocal solo and creative dance, among others.
Anaka Central Primary School, which will represent Nwoya district at the regional competition starting August 15 this year at Restore Leadership Academy in Amuru district, received a cash prize of 2 million shillings and a trophy.
Meanwhile, Oruka Primary School received musical instruments following a public vote.
Last year, Anaka Primary School won the district MDD competition and the regional competition. They too received 2 million shillings from CCFU and will be defending their title next week at the regional competition.
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