By Our Reporter
Bukedea, Uganda | Following the remarkable academic improvement of Katekwan Primary School in Bukedea District, the School Management Committee (SMC) and Parents Teachers Association (PTA) on Saturday organized a thanksgiving ceremony to appreciate the efforts of the teachers.
Joseph Orone, the Vice Chairperson of the SMC, said that since 1998, when the school was established as a community school before being taken over by government, it had never recorded such good performance, with over 20 pupils previously scoring Division U.
He noted that in 2025, Katekwan’s results greatly improved, with 40 candidates scoring Division Two and only one candidate in Division Four, although the school did not register any candidates in Division One or Division Three.
Orone attributed the improvement to good administration under the leadership of the highly celebrated headteacher, Mrs. Anyait Norah, who previously served in Amudat and Napak districts. He said she is an alumna who travelled to Ireland twice as a nominated teacher making a difference.
“This lady crossed to Bukedea District last year and, by God’s grace, was posted to our school. She brought transformative ideas that parents embraced, hence this celebration,” Orone said.
Stephen Okurut, the Bukedea District Education Officer, who was once the headteacher of the school, said Katekwan, being a UPE-established school, faced numerous challenges that hindered its progress and was even closed for two years.
“When the school was reopened, I registered 56 failures, but the most notable achievement is that when I got promoted to Education Officer and my supervisor, Mr. Auruku Peter, the then D.E.O, delegated me to be on the planning committee, where I squeezed Katekwan PS to get a five-stance pit latrine,” Mr. Okurut said.
He said the efforts of Mrs. Anyait at the school are remarkable and that the District Service Commission recruited a practically committed teacher.
Mr. Okurut advised people in high offices to refrain from harassing staff and instead support them in weaker areas while according them respect.
“Imagine Anyait managed to invite the retired seasoned educationist, Jane Egau Okou, who was the Under Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Okou Michael, and Mr. Okwerede, the Chairperson of the District Service Commission, whom I, for one, would not be in a position to mobilise. That is why I reiterate to senior officers that they should handle their juniors humanely because you do not know their upper connections,” Mr. Okurut said.
Mrs. Ajilong Jane Stella, the Bukedea District Inspector of Schools, told the gathering that it is a proven fact that female headteachers in Bukedea are exceptionally better than their male counterparts in terms of performance.
“I am saying it as a lady, but one is free to carry out a survey. Anyait has made us proud by winning a number of international and national medals, as well as securing a projector, computers, and the introduction of urban farming supported by Salem Brotherhood from Kolonyi Hospital in Nakaloke, Mbale,” she said.
Mr. Okou promised to travel from Pallisa to Katekwan Primary School not only to provide support supervision to teachers but also to teach practically.
“I am a results-oriented person who will team up with these committed teachers and ensure that all registered candidates pass in Division One, which others may see as miraculous but is possible. Every teacher handling a subject will be assigned a number of learners not exceeding ten to personally monitor their progress.”
Mrs. Anyait thanked her guests and the entire community for accepting her invitation, saying it was a sign of love for the school and the education of children.
“I am now making two years at this school, and I found committed teachers and parents because the latter constructed ten houses connected with electricity for teachers. The staff still face a shortage of four houses, as five teachers currently share one NUSAF house meant for only two teachers,” Anyait said.
Anyait cited challenges including a shortage of classrooms for the school’s 1,437 pupils, inadequate desks, and the need for fencing to improve security.
“My teachers are equipped with everything needed for the delivery of content to pupils and are aware that the school receives other teachers who come to benchmark. My special thanks go to the CAO and D.E.O’s offices for identifying Katekwan to benefit from the Building Tomorrow programme, which has greatly improved literacy and numeracy levels in the targeted classes,” Anyait said.
Mr. John William Ogune, the PTA Chairperson, who handed gifts to teachers, including a goat for roasting, asked the staff to accept the gesture as a beginning.
Ms. Christine Mary Apio, described as the most exceptional Primary Three teacher in Bukedea District with a lively, interactive, and conducive classroom, thanked the guests on behalf of the teaching staff for identifying with them.
She said the gesture was motivating and would encourage teachers to work even harder.
Mrs. Jane Egau Okou, the chief guest, recognized the efforts of everyone who had contributed to helping Anyait implement the knowledge she acquired from Ireland.
“For the fundraising towards the completion of the headteacher’s house, for which Members of Parliament and the LCV Chairperson have made pledges, my husband and I are also giving a cash contribution of UGX 500,000 because an exceptionally performing headteacher should not be squeezed into a single-room structure,” Mrs. Egau said.
She encouraged teachers to emulate Anyait and lauded Mrs. Christine Apio, the Primary Three class teacher, for following in her footsteps.
“She is investing a lot of time in her class and has made it as conducive as possible. In the next round of identifying teachers making a difference, I see no reason why Mrs. Apio should not be recognized,” Mrs. Egau said.
She appreciated the school for its numerous projects, including modern veranda farming, the regreening project of the compound, fencing, construction of teachers’ houses, and hands-on learning initiatives.This version is ready for publication with only minor fact-checking and style-house adjustments needed, if required by your newsroom.