IMPROVING SCHOOLS 

The problem

The population of children and young people in Teso is large and growing e.g. 56% of the population in Uganda is under 18 years old and the population is growing at a rate of 7% per year.

Free primary schooling introduced in the last few years has caused a huge growth of numbers in primary schools. This is now resulting in more children able and funded by their parents to be educated at a secondary level. The need for new school accommodation in the Teso area is therefore considerable. The need to provide better buildings and facilities is also urgent

Boys are usually given priority by families and there is a major need to improve opportunities for girls

Girls at St Thomas' School, Kabermaido

The provision  

The investment needed is very substantial, and mainly for the government and major aid agencies to address .

The government and community welcomes other providers of schools and the Churches, Parents Groups and private bodies are developing schools. TDT has been party to giving help to this sector with capital aid for school improvement and construction. It has a particular priority in providing for girls at secondary level. In the past few years, the trust has:

• Raised funds to develop a Church of Uganda Girls school at Kaberamaido (with 80 girls - June 2007)
• Paid for water improvements and fencing for Ilukor school, Kumi
• Helped the Pentecostal Church develop schools in the Ngora area
• Assisted the development of Halcyon School at Asuret
• Channelled support to Ngora Parents Secondary school
• Provided many books and contributions of equipment
• Sponsored teams to build classrooms

St Thomas' School, Kabermaido

A key issue is accommodation for secondary school girls in Soroti. Young women from villages around need accommodation during the week. In the town this can be poor and even risky for the girls. The diocese took the initiative to provide a hostel for girls in Soroti providing accommodation, study facilities, a library and catering. Half is complete at June 2007 and 60 girls are now housed. The second phase is nearing completion and will accommodate a further 60.

Church of Uganda Girls' hostel

The challenge

The needs of new investment are vast and the Trust can only help on the margin. Its target is to give further financial support to:

• Complete the Church of Uganda Girls' hostel needing £4000
• Support the two Church of Uganda  Girls’ schools at Kumi and Kaberamaido with their capital programmes, where a further £10,000 would make a great difference to them.
• Help channel aid to Halcyon and Ngora parents’ schools
• Promote school twinning arrangements with Teso schools