The conference was held on 12th/3 /2018 to further address challenges identified in education sector during accountability meeting organized on 12th/ 1/2018 by ToroDev in Mugusu Town council the main aim was to find ways and means of improving education standards in Mugusu town council and Sub County. The education conference came as a result of one of the action point raised during the accountability meeting conducted by ToroDev
The conference was attended by duty bearers and technocrats including RDC, LC5, Woman Member of Parliament Burahya county, District inspector of schools, PTA and SMC members parents and learners who identified challenges affecting the education sector and leaders provided way forward to those challenges. During the conference MML e-participation system was promoted and citizens pledged to use the system.
“For the last 2-3 years Mugusu has been producing best results in PLE examinations but since 2016 to now there has been a decline in performance due to many challenges affecting our schools, we need to work together to put Mugusu again on the map, lets join efforts and encourage our children to stay in school and parents you need to take a lead”. Said Mr Joseph Rujumba the district inspector of schools during the conference.
“We request the member of parliament and the district officials to address these challenges affecting the education sector in Mugusu, better performance is possible and having our children in schools is possible if parents are sensitized and educated, we are here to provide a permanent solution to the challenges affecting the education sector in Mugusu”. Said Jorum Tumusiime LCIII/mayor Mugusu town council.
Outputs
- One hundred seventy (170) citizens attended including
- Ten (10) Duty bearers attended including RDC, Women Member of Parliament Burahya county, LCV chairperson, District Inspector of schools, LCIII and District councilors,
- Key issues/challenges including lack of planning and accountability in government aided schools, high dropout rates, lack of lunch for pupils, absenteeism of pupils especially during market days, late coming of teachers, lack of vocational/technical institutions ,lack of parental support, poor performance in UPE schools etc.
- Way forward to address the challenges and Action plan set.
Suggested ideas to address the challenges
“We promise to follow up and address issues of absenteeism of pupils especially during market days effective this term, we shall arrest them and request their parents to make a statement and an agreement to never send their kids to markets whenever its school time”. Said .Jorum Tumusiime LCIII/mayor Mugusu town council.
“I promise to lobby for a technical school to be constructed in Mugusu Town council this will help some children to get skills and create jobs for themselves”. Said Hon.Margaret Muhanga who represents Burahya County in parliament.
Honorable Margaret promised to also lobby for computer laboratory for secondary school in Mugusu and pledged to support other education conferences that will be held in future to help in continuous planning and decision making.
“I call upon parents to support their children with scholastic materials and motivate their children to stay in school, parents you have a role to play to see your children get better education” Said Hon. Babuza Augustine who represented the LCV.
From this meeting we plan to join efforts as MPs, district officials, NGOs, members of PTA and SMC, learners and community members to conduct joint monitoring of the services conducted in school and sensitize parents to play their roles effectively.
We suggest carrying out training for PTA and SMC’s members to know their roles and implement them effectively to support their schools, and also to carry our radio talkshows to sensitize parents to support their children with school requirements
