Kyotera, Sembabule, Manafwa & Ntoroko Schools Assessed As ONC Strengthens Education Monitoring

By Frank Kamuntu 

The Office of the National Chairman (ONC) has intensified nationwide monitoring of schools to assess service delivery, identify infrastructure gaps, and strengthen government education programmes across Uganda.

In a series of field visits conducted by district coordinators, the ONC engaged school administrators, teachers, and local leaders to evaluate the performance of government-supported institutions and highlight challenges affecting the learning environment.

In Kyotera District, ONC Coordinator Mr. Namugera Rodgers, accompanied by Mr. Lukonge Emmanuel, visited St. Joseph Njala Primary School to assess the status of the institution.

The school’s headteacher, Mr. Kaddu Augustin, briefed the coordinators that the school currently has an enrollment of 824 pupils supported by 14 government-paid teachers.

He commended the government under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the timely payment of teachers’ salaries, which he said has improved staff morale. However, he appealed for a salary increment to further motivate teachers.

Mr. Kaddu also highlighted the need for additional classrooms to accommodate the growing number of learners and requested the construction of changing rooms for girls to improve sanitation and welfare.

During the visit, Mr. Namugera cautioned teachers against absenteeism and late reporting to duty, urging them to fully dedicate themselves to teaching and mentoring pupils.

“The government is working towards improving teachers’ welfare, and it is important that educators remain committed to their responsibilities of shaping the next generation,” he said.

Mr. Lukonge Emmanuel also called on the District Education Officer to prioritize the construction of additional classrooms at the school to address congestion caused by rising enrollment.

Meanwhile, in Sembabule District, ONC Coordinator Ms. Nakakande Ashurah conducted a monitoring visit at Mateete Comprehensive Seed Secondary School, a fully government-funded institution established in 2003.

The school currently enrolls over 1,802 students and has maintained consistent academic performance over the years.

Ms. Ashurah commended the teachers for their commitment and strong mobilization of learners, noting that their dedication has played a key role in sustaining the school’s good academic record.

However, discussions with the school administration revealed several operational challenges, including understaffing, insufficient classrooms, inadequate furniture, a computer laboratory operating at half capacity, limited staff quarters, and an understocked library.

Ms. Ashurah assured the school leadership that the identified concerns would be forwarded to the relevant government offices for consideration and possible intervention.

The headteacher welcomed the ONC monitoring visits, noting that they help gather accurate information from the ground and guide government action.

“These visits help track progress and identify the real challenges schools face, which is essential for improving service delivery,” the headteacher said.

In Manafwa District, ONC Coordinator Ms. Mwolobi Sylivia visited Butiru Model Comprehensive Secondary School in Butiru Town Council where she held discussions with the headmistress, Ms. Maimuna Watuwa.

The school currently has 840 students and recently recorded a remarkable academic milestone after all 70 candidates who sat for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examinations passed in First Grade.

Despite limited infrastructure, the school has improvised one classroom into a library equipped with eight computers to support digital learning.

The institution operates with 16 teachers on government payroll and nine not on payroll, supported by two laboratory technicians and one bursar. Additional non-teaching staff include a cook, watchman, cleaner, and compound worker.

However, the school faces challenges related to inadequate classrooms due to the growing student population, prompting the administration to appeal to the government for support in expanding infrastructure.

Ms. Mwolobi applauded the school’s resilience and outstanding academic performance.

“The Office of the National Chairman continues to spearhead community monitoring and advocate for improved education infrastructure so that learners can succeed in safe and conducive environments,” she said.

In Ntoroko District, ONC Coordinator Mr. Rutarwa Fredrick, representing the Senior Presidential Advisor and Head of the Office of the National Chairman, Hajjat Hadija Namyalo, conducted a monitoring visit at Rwebinyonyi Primary School located in Majumba I Village, Majumba Parish, Rwebisengo Sub-county.

During the engagement with the school leadership led by Headteacher Frank Bagonza, the team reviewed the institution’s academic performance under government programmes such as Universal Primary Education (UPE).

According to the school administration, the school recorded five First Grades, 37 Second Grades and five Third Grades, reflecting the dedication of both teachers and learners despite limited facilities.

The school has 489 pupils supported by 10 teachers, highlighting the increasing demand for education services in the area.

However, the institution faces several infrastructure challenges, including the absence of staff quarters, which forces teachers to live far from the school.

The school also lacks a staff latrine, raising sanitation concerns for teachers, and operates with only two structures accommodating four classrooms, leaving no dedicated administrative office.

Additionally, the school is not fenced, exposing its property to potential security risks.

Mr. Rutarwa emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges to strengthen learning conditions, particularly in rural communities.

“These issues must be addressed to ensure that learners study in a safe and supportive environment while teachers are able to deliver quality education,” he said.

The nationwide monitoring visits form part of the Office of the National Chairman’s ongoing grassroots engagement strategy aimed at identifying challenges in public institutions, improving service delivery, and strengthening government education programmes across communities.