During my time at St. Peter's College Amusala I attempted to gain as much insight about the inner workings and challenges the school faces as I could. I asked more questions than I can keep track of. I'm certain many of the staff wondered if my questions would ever end! Although they would never let on to this. They were incredibly gracious and open with me, the questioning American.
It's difficult starting a school. Even in the U.S most start-up schools fail within a few short years. This is certainly the case with charter schools. In Pallisa it is no different. Currently there are close to 23 secondary schools in the district. On my 2 mile walk to St. Peter's each day I passed 6 alone! Naturally, many would question why anyone would start a school in a community with so many. Simply put it's a matter of quality over quantity.
In 1996 the Ugandan government put into place Universal Primary Education (UPE) which required every child to attend primary school fee free. This caused an influx of children in the primary schools (class size swells into the 100s) and a decrease in the quality of education they received. One friend of mine teaches a 4th grade class of 300 students!! She is understandably frustrated by the circumstances. How could one teacher tend to that many children's academic progress? The government had a good idea, but failed to provide the proper structure to carry it out (more schools, teachers, and resources). UPE has been more of a problem than a solution.
St. Peter's vision is to increase the standard of education in the area and already has attracted approximately 150 students to attend. Comparatively, other start-up schools in the area have struggled to meet the same level of enrollment in twice the time! St. Peter's has experienced some success, but still faces some major challenges. In the interest of time I will list these challenges and with time work to unpackage them in subsequent posts.
It's difficult starting a school. Even in the U.S most start-up schools fail within a few short years. This is certainly the case with charter schools. In Pallisa it is no different. Currently there are close to 23 secondary schools in the district. On my 2 mile walk to St. Peter's each day I passed 6 alone! Naturally, many would question why anyone would start a school in a community with so many. Simply put it's a matter of quality over quantity.
In 1996 the Ugandan government put into place Universal Primary Education (UPE) which required every child to attend primary school fee free. This caused an influx of children in the primary schools (class size swells into the 100s) and a decrease in the quality of education they received. One friend of mine teaches a 4th grade class of 300 students!! She is understandably frustrated by the circumstances. How could one teacher tend to that many children's academic progress? The government had a good idea, but failed to provide the proper structure to carry it out (more schools, teachers, and resources). UPE has been more of a problem than a solution.
St. Peter's vision is to increase the standard of education in the area and already has attracted approximately 150 students to attend. Comparatively, other start-up schools in the area have struggled to meet the same level of enrollment in twice the time! St. Peter's has experienced some success, but still faces some major challenges. In the interest of time I will list these challenges and with time work to unpackage them in subsequent posts.
- Incomplete laboratory set-up for the sciences. Prior to my visit there were no gas hook-ups (or source of propane) for chemistry labs, but due to the financial support of some of my colleagues I was able to secure a gas tank and the rubber tubing & splicers to attach Bunsen burners (6 total) for this much needed project.
- 100 single seated desks are required by the National Examination Board for a school to be registered as a testing center (among other criteria).
- Complete the main hall (place of testing) with a cement floor, window shutters, and doors.
- Dormitories for both boys and girls. Students are using temporary housing which is crowded and insufficient for the 80 students who board. Many girls sleep on the floor on mattresses and lack enough mosquito nets.
- A reliable energy source. Due to unreliable hydroelectric power (supplied from Jinja 2 hours away) a diesel generator (on loan) is used to run the computer (also on loan) in the office. Two small solar panels and battery can supply the 6 classrooms and girls dorm with lighting, but are insufficient.
- A clean water source. Two shallow wells have been dug, but do not provide safe water. A deep bore well is needed. Students currently walk 2 miles to the nearest well; daily trips which I often frequented with students carefully balancing a filled jug on my head. Update: Shortly before leaving Pallisa the school leadership was in communication with a local water engineer in hopes to move forward with the well project.
- A fence around the school compound for security.
- Curriculum materials and support texts/novels to establish a library. Few students can afford textbooks and it is not uncommon to have many students share one book.
- Feeding boarders (2 meals/day). Typically student's school fees would cover this cost, but many students have been unable to pay. Their parents promising to pay once they harvest food to sell. There is currently a drought in eastern (and much of northern) Uganda and the harvest is yielding little food. Food prices have doubled and food has become more scarce. Many speak of pending famine.
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