Uganda: Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School Project
241 Students Take National Exams: Q4 2018
March 25, 2019
Naku Charles Lwanga
Summary of Activities
- Sufficient food was purchased throughout the reporting period, and students were served nutritious meals. RMF is committed to ensuring access to education for vulnerable children in Uganda, and we are glad to provide food, supplies, and other support to keep the school running smoothly.
- Purchased instructional materials, including chalk, pens, manila charts, laboratory reagents, tools for agriculture lessons, and more. These are essential for the smooth running of the school, and enabled the students to stay on track with the syllabi and prepare for national exams organized by the Ministry of Education.
- All subjects, as outlined by the Ministry of Education, are being taught. These include mathematics, physics, agriculture, chemistry, English language and literature, geography, history, commerce, accounting, information technology, Christian religious education, and fine arts.
- Paid teachers’ salaries and support staff’s wages promptly, which is one of the reasons World Children’s Fund Mama Kevina Secondary School has been able to maintain highly motivated teachers and staff.
- Paid the school’s utility bills, mainly electricity.
- Continued to beautify and maintain the cleanliness of the school compound and facilities. The well-maintained school compound provides an environment conducive for learning.
- Children who were ill during the reporting period received prompt medical treatment. The most commonly treated health problems are malaria, respiratory tract infections, influenza, gastrointestinal infections, and fever.
- Materials were purchased for end-of-term exams, and the semi-permanent examination hall was completed in time to accommodate the students for their final examinations.
- Conducted promotional examinations for students in non-candidate classes (senior one, two, and three).
- 241 candidates sat for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations. Students were thoroughly prepared, and all were well-accommodated thanks to the newly constructed semi-permanent examination hall.
- We held an end-of-year staff party, which was very successful. We used this opportunity for the staff at the school to reflect on our journey throughout the year, sharing both challenges and good practices. We also provided feedback for the staff and gave awards to the most outstanding teachers. The ceremony was attended by RMF Uganda Country Director Naku Charles Lwanga.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
St. Francis Day Celebrations
October 4, 2018
St. Francis Day celebrations were held for students undergoing catechism instruction at the school. 65 students received their first communion, 43 received confirmation, and 25 made final commitments. The ceremony was graced by the Bishop of Tororo Archdiocese, who helped give these sacraments to the students.
Students are Well-Fed
No Malnutrition Cases
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.
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.
Hosting the "World Children’s Fund"
Students Share Their Stories
During the reporting period, we hosted visitors from World Children’s Fund (WCF), who toured the school premises and were entertained by the students, spending two days hearing their stories and appreciation for the assistance provided through RMF/WCF, especially the opportunity given to many who had lost hope of receiving an education. The World Children’s Fund visitors were pleased by the work we are doing at the school.
Promoting Gender Equality
Increasing Opportunity
The project is promoting girls education, which is part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)s: promoting gender equality and equity. The new girls’ dormitory, for instance, has allowed us to accommodate 120 more female students, thus increasing opportunity for girls to access education.
Prompt Medical Care
Treatment & General Check-ups
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. The school employs a full-time nurse to provide treatment for students and staff. The nurse also conducts general checkups on all students and staff at the beginning of the term.
Continued Learning
Learning Assessments Performed
Teaching and learning continued throughout the reporting period without interruption. Teachers attended to the students as expected, continuous assessment was carried out to ensure that students did not fall behind, and exams were conducted at the established intervals.
Background
& Objectives
Background
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.
Objectives
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
More
Photos
Click to enlarge
Numbers
Served
Direct Beneficiaries
October-December 2018
- Students: About 413
- Staff members, both teaching and non-teaching staff: 45
General
Updates
Previous Special Events: July 2018
Annual "MDD" Competition & Farewell Party
In July 2018, we held the annual inter-house music, dance, and drama (MDD) competition. This year’s theme was “Enhancing a Child’s Quality Learning for Development through Action Against Malaria."
In July 2018, we also held a farewell party for students in their final year of study at the school. This is a tradition among the students. A party is organized, and graduating students have the opportunity to talk with their teachers, sharing experiences and lessons learned and receiving advice from their teachers.
Many students expressed thankfulness for the school, where they were nurtured and given the opportunity to further their education, stating these were four years well lived. Students also appreciated RMF and WCF’s support, which enabled those who otherwise could not attend secondary school to benefit from a quality education.
Photo 1: Students presenting an original composition. In a bid to develop talent, we encourage students in the different houses to come up with original compositions, and the best team receives an award.
Photo 2: Graduating students ready to cut the cake, together with the school management.
More Reports on: Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School Project Archive
Country Page: Uganda
Initiative Page: Mama Kevina Comprehensive Secondary School Project
