Uganda: Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School Project

A New School Year: Q1 2018

July 04, 2018

Naku Charles Lwanga and Alphonse Mwanamwolho

Uganda Initiative Reports

Some of the 2018 senior one students after submitting their credentials to the school secretary

2018 Senior One Intake and Opening of First Term

130 Students

During this reporting period, Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School:

Enrolled new students in senior one for the 2018 intake. They are learning and gradually getting used to the secondary school system of learning.
130 students were admitted for senior one, and all of them reported to school.
Conducted preparations to receive students for the first term, which commenced in February 2018.
Classes began on schedule.
Teaching and assessment of students were effectively conducted during the reporting period.

The school’s netball team practicing for the district inter-school tournament

Preparations for the District Inter-School Sports Tournament

Netball Team

This period the boys’ football (American soccer) team and the girls’ netball team represented the school at the district inter-school sports tournament.

This supports RMF’s goal to fund students’ extra-curricular activities, allowing them to participate in sports, regional games, and inter-school competitions to enhance the performance and reputation of the students, as well as World Children’s Fund Mama Kevina Secondary School.

Preparing lunch for the students

School Agriculture Initiative and Food Security

No Cases of Malnutrition

Children continued to be well fed during the reporting period, receiving 3 meals a day. This has improved students’ health and capacity for learning/concentration, and there were no cases of malnutrition.

Planting tomato gardens is one of the agriculture initiatives to increase food security at the school. This reporting period, tomatoes and a variety of vegetables were planted to lower food costs and support the children’s diet.

During the holidays, the dormitories were fumigated in order to kill specifically the bedbugs that had found their way into the hostels.

Accommodation for Students and Safety in the School

Maintained Motorized Water Source

During this reporting period:

School grounds and facilities were kept clean, and buildings were repainted periodically. The well-maintained school compound provides an environment conducive for learning.
The dormitories were fumigated over the holidays in order to kill specifically the bedbugs that had found their way into the hostels.
All utility bills were paid and continuous maintenance performed for the motorized water source. This reliable water source has greatly improved the quality of life at World Children’s Fund Mama Kevina Secondary School.
Installed fire extinguishers for use in case of a fire, increasing the school’s safety.
Maintained student discipline and provided sufficient guidance for the students. There were no significant discipline cases during the reporting period.

Students taking the examination at the beginning of first term. These tests help the school maintain its academic performance.

Learning and Academic Assessments

Promoting Learning

During this reporting period:

The school received the 2017 UCE results, and the candidates’ performance was impressive. The school was second in the district; students passed in first grade, second grade, third grade, and fourth grade. Every candidate scored high enough to allow them to proceed to Advanced Level or technical training institutions.
167 candidates had taken the Uganda National Examinations Board’s UCE examinations.
Beginning-of-term and mid-term assessments of students were conducted.
Purchased required scholastic materials for the reporting period.
Purchased all required reagents and specimens needed for practical subjects.
Paid teachers’ salaries and support staff’s wages promptly.

On weekends, the students are encouraged to wash their clothes. Exercise and reading are also promoted.

A Healthy Mind and a Healthy Body

The children are growing, and most are entering the adolescent stage. With the help of senior teachers, students are given formative talks to help them cope with the challenges of adolescence.

The school’s positive environment and reputation have been maintained throughout the reporting period; evils affecting other schools in the district, such as strikes, teenage pregnancies, student fights, and students running away have been avoided at World Children’s Fund Mama Kevina Secondary School. This is because the school has been able to retain committed, motivated teachers, thanks to the support from RMF/WCF. To accommodate the school’s growth, we have also begun looking into hiring more teachers and providing on-campus housing for teachers.

Children who were ill during the reporting period received prompt medical treatment. This was possible because of the standby medical staff at World Children’s Fund Mama Kevina Secondary School.

Donate

Support World Children’s Fund Mama Kevina School with the following:

• Food supply for the students and staffs
• Support of the school garden work: planting of the maize, and now they are weeding
• Anti-malarial medication and mosquito net supplies for the students and staff
• Support the school clinic with other medications
• Payment of staff salaries
• Support computer purchases to teach IT skills
• Purchase of text books and other school teaching supplies
• Purchase of office equipment supplies like photocopier, printer, and office furniture
• Facilitate participating in community outreach and inter-house competitions with music, dance, drama, regional games and sports held in partnership with the Tororo District
• Support of infrastructure/constructions projects on campus

Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School was opened in 2006 with international financial support, and with the goal of providing both secondary education and vocational training. The student population is mostly from Northern Uganda where many children have been affected by ongoing wars, floods and HIV/AIDS. Many of the students’ parents were killed by rebels or AIDS which left many of the children as orphans; some boys had been forced to be child soldiers. Enrolled at the school are students ranging in age from 11 to 24, who attend secondary grades 1 to secondary 4.