Minister of Education and Sports - Uganda Multimedia News & Information

Government reviews teacher training institutions amidst damaging report

Gerald Businge — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 09:28:00 +0000

GOVERNMENT has reviewed entry requirements to teacher training institutions in the country.This follows recent reports in the media indicating that 80 percent of teachers couldn’t count or read.

State minister for Education Rosemary Sseninde (Left) and former primary education minister John C Muyingo giving instruments of power to Seninde.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Rosemary Seninde says that the NAPE report clearly indicated that only those undergoing training were found to be wanting with 21 percent not able to count and 38 percent not able to read in English.

Seninde says it’s against this background that the ministry is increasing the entry requirements to 6 passes from 5 and with these a student must have obtained at least credit 6 in both English and match.

However, the MPs said that education problems stem from students joining teacher training after getting snubbed in other courses and also learning for long hours which has turned them into people who can pass exams but cannot comprehend what they have been taught.

The Speaker asked the education committee to look at the recommendations in the minister’s report on how they can improve education.

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Museveni commissions science facilities at 3 Mbarara Schools

Isaac Senabulya — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 11:06:06 +0000

Photo Credit: Daily Monitor

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned 3 new multi-billion facilities at 3 schools in Mbarara Municipality.

The president while commissioning the state of the art facilities at Mbarara High School, Mary Hill High School and Nyakayojo Senior Secondary School urged the students of the institutions to concentrate on science subjects that are the ultimate requirement in the job market today.

“We are now expanding education quantitatively and qualitatively as well as orientation. What are you studying? Education must be for a purpose; that is why we are emphasizing on science, technology and skills for acquisition of employment,” he said.

The facilities of Mbarara High School and that of Mary Hill High School were constructed using a loan from the African Development Bank (ADB) under the Bank’s 4-funded projects. The 2 schools are among the 42 secondary schools country-wide benefiting from the over US$ 84 million loan from the African Development Bank (ADB) and US$ 9.3 million provided by the Government of Uganda.

The facilities at Nyakayojo SSS that include an administration block and a science laboratory was built using part of the loan from the World Bank.The school is among the 659 secondary schools in the country targeted by government to be improved using US$ 150 million from the World Bank. Over Shs.1.1billion was used for the construction of the Nyakayojo SSS facilities.

At Mbarara High School, President Museveni, an old boy of the school, commissioned a new complex that is housing science laboratories, ICT laboratory, a library as well as class rooms that will cater for the increased population of 2,000 students of the school.

The ADB IV-funded projects, also cover the construction of 8 staff houses, furniture and laboratory equipment for Mbarara High School.

President Museveni who commended the management of Mbarara High School for emphasizing science subjects and for their good academic performance, also encouraged students to exploit their talents that can help them with self-employment.

The President was further happy to note that a technical school was being constructed and observed that it was an old mistake where traditional artisanship was neither supported nor recognized.

“Traditionally, society was not giving respect and recognition to black smiths who were their support. I am glad that a technical school is being built and can optimally be used. Reality has shown that technical education is the way forward,” he observed

On staff houses, President Museveni said Government will soon emphasize their construction to enable teachers stay within the school and make their work easy.

President Museveni was happy to see at the function Army Officers who are overseeing the ‘Operation Wealth Creation Programme’. He advised the officers to find time, especially at the weekends, to meet students and enlighten them on the programme. He added that students will should in turn talk to their parents to abandon traditional farming in favour of modern commercial agriculture.

“In your sensitization to wananchi, don’t forget the children; find time to talk to students who will in turn talk to their parents. It can help,” he advised the Army Officers.

Mr. Museveni also commended students of Mbarara High School for stopping the bad habit of bullying new students at the school as well as getting involved in fights with students from other schools during games.

“That is not good. Education should give you civilization. Civilized people should not fight anyhow. People should only fight for a good cause.” he counseled.

The Minister of Education, Science Technology and Sports, Hon. Jessica Alupo, appealed to beneficiary communities including parents, students and all stakeholders, to maintain the quality and state of the infrastructure of the institutions and encourage children to take advantage of these facilities. She also asked them to ensure that students commit themselves to studies in order to contribute to the transformation of the country.

The Headmaster of Mbarara High school, Mr. Twinomujuni Benon, thanked President Museveni for supporting the school.

The Bishop of Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, who earlier led the thanksgiving service, appreciated the government of Uganda through ADB for the facilities provided to the school especially the staff quarters.

Later at Mary Hill High School in Mbarara Municipality, President Museveni commissioned a 3-storeyed facility housing 5 classrooms, 2 ICT laboratories, 3 science laboratories, one staffroom and a 300-seater library. He also commissioned 4 housing units for the staff and ‘liberation’ girl’s dormitory.

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Jesica Alupo confident she will deliver as new Minister of Education and Sports

Gerald Businge — Tue, 31 May 2011 18:03:06 +0000

Education and sports ministerial nominee Lt. Jessica Alupo has assured the parliamentary vetting committee that she will manage this sector and carry out reforms despite her alleged young age compared to her juniors.

Jessica Alupo, Minister of Education and Sports

According to Alupo who is also outgoing state minister for youths and children having people of different age bracket in the ministry will help them plan and deliver well because each one of them will have to help the other by sharing experience.

She told journalists after appearing before the vetting committee chaired by speaker Rebecca Kadaga that her sector has got people of all age brackets including the young ones, youths and old people and therefore according to her, it is a blessing to have ministers of different age groups to plan and run such a sensitive sector.

Alupo added that if the committee approves her appointment, much of her work will be to carry put reforms in the education sector including changing the school curriculum to produce job creators than seekers.

Ultimate Media

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