By Godwin Abedican

Arua

Aga Khan University has offered scholarships to 35 primary school head teachers and deputy head teachers to study at Muni University.
Drawn from the districts of Arua, Yumbe, Koboko and Arua city, the beneficiaries have been admitted to study Diploma in Educational Leadership and Management (DELM) the latest education program which was introduced at Muni University on Friday May 26^th 2023, in a collaboration between the two universities.

The scholarship that will run for two years will be fully funded by Aga Khan and aims at enhancing managerial capacities of Head teachers and deputies across primary schools so as to improve on performance in schools.

Speaking while awarding the letters of scholarship by Aga Khan to the beneficiaries on Friday may 26^th 2023, Raymond Ombere, the city education officer Arua, pledged to rally for corporation and support from the education officers and his office to enable the beneficiaries complete their studies well. “From this course once you have the attitude of yes we can, you will become miracle workers in your institutions, your institutions will start seeing the light which people have never seen before. Please, I want you to have that attitude such that we drive the education agenda in West Nile forward,” Ombere encouraged the beneficiaries.

Associate professor clement Okia the university deputy director for research and innovations promised that as Muni University they are dedicated to provide the best and necessary environment for the learners to attain the best outcome of their studies “I want to assure the participants that you are in the right place and after competing this lease we invite you back. You know that West Nile is marginalized in many things. We are lagging behind in many development indicators including education. Our hope is that this program really helps you to manage your schools and those that you are going to influence to improve the performance in our schools,” he appealed.

Dr. Mweru Mwingi Aga Khan University, IED-EA appeals for support from education stake holders to the students especially education officers such that they can be able to accomplish their dreams. “We believe even when this course continues, and we have other cohorts, the same kind of support will be rendered not just for a training but for a lifelong learning, learning that is going to have great impact in your schools and your communities” Mweru added.   
 
Speaking to some beneficiaries of the scholarship who form the first cohort of the newly introduced program, they expressed gratitude that this opportunity has come and will enhance their capacities in managerial works in their schools.


Mrs Adania Sally one of the Course Coordiator of the beneficiaries while presenting her thanksgiving speech

According to Sally Adania the head teacher Niva Primary School in Arua city, one of the beneficiaries from the scholarship and the Course coordinator for the beneficiaries, lack of professional training among head teachers and school leaders has greatly contributed to the poor management of schools which always translate into very poor results among the learners. “This program is going to make me transform the lives of the learners in my school and even transform the lives of the teachers in my school. To ensure that there is effective teaching and learning and to see into it that the performance of learners improve. One of the things that has been lacking is getting new knowledge, having professional developments and tis opportunity will address the challenge of not having frequent professional studies or frequent professional continuous assessments,” Adania said.   

Hamid Ezangu another beneficiary and the head teacher of Aringa Islamic Primary School in Yumbe district says this is the first time he is doing a professional course in line with his occupation which he believes will help him tackle some of the challenges he has been facing in the past as a Head Teacher.
“If I will be able to complete the course, it will help me to administer my school in issues to do with planning and managing teachers and learners. Ever since I became a head teacher I have never got any training concerning education leadership and management. This is yet the first opportunity,” Ezangu expressed with joy. 
 
The beneficiaries are expected to attend their lectures both on line during school days and face to face over the weekends and during school holidays so as not to interfere with their duties in the schools.

Each of the 35 beneficiary students will study for two years before eventually graduating in the program. This education scholarship is a component of a 5 years Foundation for Learning (F4L) project that is being implemented by Aga Khan University across the region of West Nile.

COVER PHOTO: Raymond Ombere, the City Education Officer Arua, together with staff of Muni University and Aga Khan University hand over letters to the beneficiaries By Godwin Abedican