By Kamwebaze Happiness Muteganda
NTUNGAMO, UGANDA: As Primary Seven Candidates prepares for the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) across the Country, Nyamurindira Primary School in Rubaare Town Council, Ntungamo District has become a symbol of how community effort, faith and resource mobilization can help rural schools overcome persistent educational challenges.
During a spirited dedication mass for 78 candidates at the School Premises in Kabiriizi Village, Kyabukuju Ward, Rubaare Town Council on Saturday, parents, local leaders, and education officials rallied behind the school’s learners, not only in prayer but also with renewed calls to address the systemic barriers that threaten academic success in rural settings.
The inspector of Schools, Robert Tuzariegwe urged the learners to stay focused despite the odds, noting that while dedication and discipline are crucial, “students in rural schools still face limited learning resources and emotional pressure.”
He commended the school’s management and stakeholders for sustaining a supportive learning environment amid these hurdles.
The Mayor of Rubaare Town Council, Benson Kansiime, acknowledged the strides made but admitted that more needs to be done to bridge the rural–urban education gap.
He pledged government incentives for candidates who excel, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to supporting academic excellence in local schools.
Lydia Kamatungo, the LC1 Chairperson of Kabiriizi Village, stressed that education remains the foundation of personal and community transformation.
She challenged parents to prioritize education even amid economic hardship, saying, “We cannot talk of development when our children are dropping out of school.”
The Headteacher, Robert Tweheyo, described the dedication mass as both spiritual and motivational, saying it helps learners face exams with confidence.
He further highlighted the school’s infrastructure gaps, revealing that support from Kyabukuju Sacco, which donated five bags of cement, will help complete an unfinished three-classroom block.
“Community partnerships are no longer optional, they’re essential for schools like ours to thrive,” he emphasized.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Peter Arineitwe, the Parish Priest of St Peter’s Catholic church Bwizibwera, called on parents to complement the teachers’ efforts by ensuring their children have a peaceful study environment.
“Faith without action is incomplete,” he said. “Let parents create conditions where their children can study, rest, and perform well.”
The dedication Mass at Nyamurindira Primary School underscored a broader message, that improving education outcomes in rural Uganda requires not only student effort but also sustained collaboration among faith leaders, parents, and local government.
As the P7 candidates prepare for their final examinations, their journey reflects a larger struggle: the fight for quality education in under-resourced communities and the power of collective action to inspire hope and change.
