Authorities at St Francis College Kyanamira in Kabale District are seeking about Shs90 million to complete the school’s main examination hall and meet the minimum standards required by UNEB ahead of the forthcoming Uganda Certificate of Education and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations.
The school head teacher, Isaiah Bakangisa, said the hall, which was started by parents in 2008, remains incomplete because of financial constraints.
Speaking during a thanksgiving Mass to mark the school’s patron day, St Francis of Assisi, at the school premises in Kyanamira Sub-county, Ndorwa East Constituency on Saturday, Bakangisa said the facility needs urgent completion to meet the minimum standards required by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
“We are aware we are only two weeks away from the exam, and the required standards for the exam are not guaranteed. They require at least the safety of the exam, having windows shut and whatever in that hall,” he said.
Bakangisa appealed to parents, students, former students and other well-wishers to contribute towards completing the facility before the examinations begin.
“Our call to you today, to all our parents and all the students, is to see whether we can pull our weight and help together so that we have a good school and meet the minimum standard for having our exams,” he said.
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The school board vice-chairperson, Bridget Asinga, said the school risks losing its UNEB centre number if it fails to meet the examination body’s requirements.
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Bakangisa also raised concerns about inadequate infrastructure and learning facilities, saying the school is struggling to provide enough equipment for its growing student population.
He cited the computer laboratory, saying the school currently has only 21 computers, which are inadequate for the student population.
“The school has inadequate infrastructure facilities for staff and students. For example, the computers cannot accommodate the students. We currently have 21 computers, which cannot accommodate our enrolment,” he said.
He said the shortage of computers affects students’ access to practical Information and Communication Technology lessons and appealed to parents and other stakeholders to support the improvement of the school’s facilities.
Speaking as the guest of honour, Dr Peter Ngategize, an agricultural economist, public policy expert and academic, advised students to remain curious about their surroundings, acquire as much knowledge as possible and embrace leadership in their classes and communities.
Dr Ngategize, who is a council member and chairman of the Appointments, Welfare and Disciplinary Committee at St Ignatius University Kabale, also encouraged the students to develop faith and self-belief while they are still young.
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Delivering his homily, the Assistant Financial Administrator for Kabale Catholic Diocese, Rev Fr Davis Keinamura, asked the public to emulate St Francis of Assisi by protecting nature and avoiding activities that contribute to environmental degradation.
Rev Fr Keinamura said St Francis of Assisi was known for his love and protection of nature, including living and non-living things.
He said the destruction of forests, wetlands and other natural resources has contributed to changing weather patterns, including prolonged sunshine and reduced rainfall.
He said the prolonged dry conditions being experienced in the region, including unusually high temperatures and scarce rainfall in September, should serve as a warning about the consequences of environmental degradation.
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The ceremony raised Shs20 million in cash and pledges towards completing the examination hall.
