Every year, new schools emerge outside Kampala and Wakiso and perform well in national exams. A few years ago, Mandela SS came out of the blue to confound the sceptics, competing with some of the best across the country.
Usually some of the same standards and values that pertain in the high-end schools also apply in the rural areas. ABUBAKER MAYEMBA has been to one such school that could surprise many when PLE results are released next year.
Established in 2014, Flobbeto nursery and primary school is set to change the entire education landscape in Bunyoro sub-region for the positive. Flobbeto’s serene campus sits on four acres in Kibingo ward, Busiisi division, four kilometres outside Hoima town.
The school is affiliated to Hillside primary school-Naalya, Kampala, which means some of the same standards apply in both schools. According to the school’s head teacher, Dominic Karyarugokwo, discipline and excellence are the first things a pupil is taught, once admitted. He notes that unlike other schools in the region, where children are not taught respect, the Flobbeto pupils know what is expected of them.
“Our motto is ‘excellence is our pride’ and this means whatever we do must be up to the standard. “We believe that an undisciplined child cannot succeed. One thing we are proud of is the element of following rules and regulations. We emphasise orderliness and living as brothers and sisters,” says Karyarugokwo.
There is a need to keep standards high and for a child to be admitted, he or she must undergo an interview to ascertain whether they are qualified to start classes at the school. No one is admitted once he or she fails to pass the required tests.
The school, which started with 174 pupils two years ago, now boats 690 children, both in nursery and primary and this, as Karyarugokwo says, is a testimony that the community recognises the quality of education being offered.
This year, 24 pioneer candidates sat for Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and the head teacher believes they will all pass with flying colours and lift the school’s flag high.
“We [emphasise a lot] on quality of the teachers and that is why most of them were got from Kampala. They hold degrees and diplomas and have the knowledge and experience on how to handle children very well,” he says.
It is every teacher’s responsibility to care and monitor every pupil and this makes it easy for them to identify pupils who need attention. To boost confidence in the children, teachers line up and eat the same food with them and this helps bridge the gap between them and enables more interactions as friends.
Although the lower classes have matrons and patrons who wash for them, all pupils in higher classes are expected to wash their uniforms and beddings. This is aimed at ensuring that they learn how to do chores and also learn to value cleanliness. During every Saturday of the month, all pupils and teacher join in the cleaning of the entire campus.
The school has hired a catering company that cooks quality meals, ranging from posho and beans to rice and chicken. Meanwhile, the two school minibuses help ferry day pupils, who cannot be picked up by their parents, and the driver ensures that the children are home safe by personally dropping them.
The school wire mesh and two security guards protect the school from intrusions, while the standby generator and solar panels ensure the school is lit throughout the night.
Flobbeto was started by former UMI chancellor Florence Mugasha and is named in memory of her mother Tophas Bagamba and father, Besweri Bagamba. It formerly opened its doors to the public in 2014.
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