By Mike Rwothomio
A section of teachers in Zombo District are smiling to the bank upon winning a cash prize of Ugx 1.5 million each awarded by a consortium of NGOs like Life Concern , CEFORD and Nebbi NGO forum Under the project called “ALOCHI KU SOMU “, funded by the co-operaid , a Switzerland based Non governmental organization.
The 4 billion project that is coming to an end for the past years has been entirely an education project aimed at improving academic excellence , addressing infrastructure crisis in schools and retaining girl child in schools.
The awarded teachers were selected from various schools in a competition set up to reward dedicating and hard working teachers in the ” teachers of the year award”.
The 10 teachers and the Headteacher were each rewarded a cash prize of Ugx 1.5 million and 2 million respectively.
Kakura Emmy Kizito, The Executive director of Life Concern, encouraged the winners to use the cash towards upgrading, maintaining their health Incase of complication and support their children education.
He also cautioned the teachers against spending the money luxuriously before encouraging them to be exemplary and use resources at their disposal to Excel.
“Use the money towards pursuing your education or support your children . The money is not meant for luxurious life like getting new partners thus breeding domestic violence ” Kakura told the awarded teachers during a ceremony held at cream land motel in Paidha Town Council on March 7.
The organization has also allocated over UGX500 million in the past years for infrastructural development in many schools across the District.
Alex Susu , The Head teacher of Oturgang Boys Primary School in Paidha Town Council who won The Head teacher of the year award, expressed happiness about the award attributing it to hard work and resilience.
Susu whilst delivering his speech added that ” it was a big task for me to adopt to the system in town here. When I was transferred here, parents wanted to reject me saying I was from a rural school , This award is a manifestation that any thing can happen if we work hard”.
Kwiocwiny Agnes, A teacher of Mvungu Upper primary school in Paidha Town Council won the award upon showcasing skills in making learning teaching aid in her school.
She expresses happiness upon winning the award and said her desire is to push further to win more awards and inspire others.
Immaculate Atimango, The Uganda National Teachers Union chairperson for Zombo District , Commended life concern and it’s partners for their great stride towards education excellence in the district.
Atimango appeals for more lobbying of such a project to bolster education in the area before calling for exemplary life amongst the awarded teachers.
” Let this mark remains in the rural school where your teaching and above all, let’s each of us be self motivated” She said.
Zombo District education department always struggle with education performance of learners , chronic teacher absenteeism, and high drop out rate amongst others.
The Zombo District Community development Officer Samuel Ocaki , commended life concern and other development partners who are doing enough to champion Education in the district and urged teachers to work excessively to better the education sector in the area.
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner of Zombo Grace Atim Commended development partners for stepping in to help Government in fixing gap in the education sector.
Mean while the LCV chairperson of Zombo District James Oruna Oyullu has tasked the district education department to strengthen the monitoring of public schools.
The organization in the past years has been involved in resolving land disputes, environmental conservation, addressing unemployment rate amongst youths through provisions of employable skills amongst others.
If you have a story in your community or an opinion article, let’s publish it. Send us an email via ultimatenews19@gmail.com. Follow our WhatsApp Channel HERE and our Telegram Channel HERE to see more of our stories.
