Most government aided secondary schools in Oyam District have recorded a sharp rise in the student enrolment, several years of grappling with few learners.
Schools that have recorded the remarkable students’ population include Amwa Comprehensive Secondary School in Myene Sub County, Atapara Secondary School in Aber Sub County, Loro Secondary School from Loro Sub County and Acaba Secondary School from Acaba Sub County.
For instance, Acaba secondary school, “O” and “A” level school which had 255 students from senior one to senior six in 2014, has recorded an improvement in the students’ enrolment upto 1,570 students, eleven years later.
Simon Okeng, the school head teacher, anchored the success to teacher’s commitment and the school’s performance in the national exams.
Similarly, Amwa Comprehensive Secondary School, founded by the Catholic Church in 1984, once faced collapse after its enrolment dropped to just 33 students from senior one to senior four in 2022.
Now under the leadership of head teacher Stephen Kibwota and with strong support from the local community, the school has undergone a remarkable turnaround. In just three years, the school’s enrolment has grown to 769 students.
Stephen Kibwota, the head teacher of Amwa Comprehensive Secondary School attributes the high student enrolment to good mobilisation strategies and the commendable teacher’s commitment.
Translation: “In December 2022 I took over office with 30 students from senior one to senior four. I remained with only 13 students after 17 senior four candidates sat UCE Exams. With God’s grace today we have 769 students. We attracted the high student enrolment you witness today because of teachers’ commitment.”
Benson Ongom, Oyam District Inspector of Schools, said that several secondary schools in the district are experiencing surging student populations. He however highlighted that the overwhelming enrolment have outpaced infrastructure development and led to severe classroom congestion, calling for concerted efforts from the parents and the stakeholders.
James Ogwal, Myene Sub County LC3 Chairperson acknowledged the high students’ enrolment recorded in the government aided schools. Addressing Parents’ of Amwa Comprehensive Secondary School in a recent Parents’ and Teachers’ Annual General Meeting, Ogwal rallied parents to collectively joint hands in developing the government aided schools.
Felix Olem, the Chairman Parents’ and Teachers’ Association-PTA of Amwa Comprehensive Secondary School reiterated the vital roles of the PTA towards the school’s development. As PTA Executive members of Amwa Comprehensive Secondary school, Olem revealed their plans and visions towards developing the school.
Parents who spoke to Uganda Radio Network recognised the contributions of the school administrators in developing the school. They outlined reduction in school fees structure, better performance in national exams and sporting activities as well as regular parents’ meetings as factors towards the schools’ progress-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
