The Lango Paramount Chief Yosam Odur Ebii has asked government
to take over Ayaa Victoria Odur Girls' Secondary School.
The private school was opened three years ago by Janet Kataha Museveni, the
Minister for Education and Sports, however, it has failed to attract students.
It was constructed in memory of Odur's wife, the late Victoria Ayaa.
With 18 qualified teaching staff, the school opened with an enrollment of 56
students although only 20 have so far reported from S.2 to S.4. The number is
expected to increase with the enrolment of Senior One students.
Theresa Ajam, the headteacher of the school explained that the school has
lowered its fees to 200,000 shillings and offering bursaries of 60,000
shillings to all students as a way attracting more students.
She attributed the low turn of students at the school on the lack of sensitization
of the community on the benefit of education.
//Cue in: “I think the…
Cue out: ... from him also.”//
Tom Ogwal Ekuka, the Chairman Board of Governors said they want
the government to take over the school under the seed secondary school project.
//Cue in: “Right now the …
Cue out: … that kind of things.”//
Last year, the Education Ministry commenced on the procurement process to
construct 127 Seed Secondary Schools under the Inter-Government Fiscal Transfer
Program.
Ekuka says that once the school is taken over by government, several classrooms
will be constructed and the school will be able to access Universal Secondary Education-USE
funds.
Robert Atim, the Chairman LCIII of Chegere Sub County says the
move to elevate the school into a government school will not only improve on
the livelihood of the people but also bring services closer to the Community.
“Chegere sub-county is still behind in terms of performances
especially Girls Child with over 80% of Girls failing to complete secondary
education due to high demand of bride price,” Atim said.
Tom Odongo, a local resident of Agong village in Chegere welcomed
the move saying once taken over, the community will reap big from support citing
the USE Program.
