“Our priority is education so as to get better citizens to implement better local services”, Steven Kagwera

On 8^th February 2014, Hon Steven Kagwera the Member of Parliament for Burahya County in Kabarole District indicated how local leaders were prioritizing the education sector so as to get better citizens who can implement better local services. This was during ToroDev’s supported live radio accountability program on HITS FM called ‘Orukurato Program’  that discusses issues of accountability every Saturday (8:00 – 10:00pm). “Our priority is education because we want to get better citizens who can implement better services. Progress has so far been realized in the education sector due to team work from teachers, parents, pupils and teachers. However, some schools’ results have been disqualified but we are trying with all our efforts to solve the issue with the UNEB(Uganda National Examinations Board) officials to see that these results are released”.

Fagil Monday, Chairperson of UNEB

The live radio discussion was also attended by Hon. Joshua Kagaba the District Councilor of Ruteete Sub County who thanked the different individuals for rendering efforts in realizing the good performance of the pupils. “The better performance of the schools was due to the efforts of the leaders and head teachers who sensitized the community about the use of education and contributing towards its improvement instead of leaving the whole work for the government. Other sectors like the NGOs also contributed a lot through providing scholastic materials to different schools”.

During the discussion, Hon Steven indicated some of the steps that were carried out by the local leaders to improve the performance in schools. “We made a lot of sensitization to the local community concerning education through community and PTA (Parents Teachers Association) meetings, making transfer of different head teachers to different schools and also monitoring schools”.

Meanwhile, Hon. Kagaba highlighted the way forward for maintaining the better performance of the schools. “We have to maintain the good performance of the schools through exposing those leaders who have been dormant so that they become active, addressing teachers and parents’ issues concerning their schools and sensitizing leaders, head teachers, parents and pupils in maintaining the good performance and even aiming higher”.

Local listeners also participated in the live radio discussion through call ins to raise their issues and concerns. “Butiiti Demonstration did not get any pupil in first grade, we need change of a new head master”, said Basemera from Bukuuku Sub County, “What do leaders talk about the issue of promoting pupils with poor performance to the next classes in UPE(Universal Primary Education) schools?” asked William from Kakabara Sub County, “All leaders, parents and teachers should join hands to maintain this good performance”, said Tugume from Kisomoro Sub County, “I thank leaders for the good work done”, said Hassan.

The live radio discussion was moderated by Mr. Kasigazi Willy Donanto.