Mwumba Progressive SS Headteacher Decries High Rate of Girl-child School Dropout

By Nathan Bahangwa

Kisoro -The Headteacher of Mwumba Progressive Secondary School in Mugobwa village, Nkuringo Town Council has decried the high rate of girl-child dropouts due to early marriages.

Nkurikiyimana Joshua made the remarks on Thursday while addressing residents that had come to grace the ground breaking for Mwumba Seed School. The central government released Ugx3.3b to aid the construction of new classroom blocks, administration blocks, library, computer and science laboratories, staff quarters and latrines. Geses Uganda limited has been contracted to do the work.

According to Nkurikiyimana, there has been an overwhelming desire to have Mwumba Progressive SS constructed to a better standard but the school enrolment is decreasing due to high dropout rates since Covid-19. He noted that over 80 girls have dropped out since the covid-19 outbreak.

The Kisoro district LCV Chairman, Abel Bizimana applauded the government of Uganda for prioritising education by constructing a seed school in at least one sub-county.

He asked locals in Nkuringo Town Council to make use of the school by ensuring that their children go to school and build their futures. He also called upon girls to desist from being lured into early marriages and love affairs that in turn disrupt their future dreams.

Bizimana demanded for quality work from the contractors.

The state minister for labour, gender and social development in charge of children and youths affairs, Sarah Mateke implored the locals to thank God for the biggest achievement to have Mwumba Seed School because it was a bigger hustle because the government had failed to get contractors to take up the work due to the hilly terrain in the area.

She also noted that the policy of having only one seed secondary school per sub-county in hilly areas is not enough because of poor road network adding that she will push the government to change the policy to favour districts like Kisoro.

The Kisoro Resident District Commissioner, Hajji Shafique Ssekandi said that Kisoro district is thankful to the Bukimbiri county MP Eddie Wagahungu Kwizera for his efforts in imploring the cabinet to spare funds for the construction of Mwumba Seed School.

He asked learners to make use of it and attain maximum levels of education. He also warned locals against stealing site materials.

One of the directors of Geses Uganda Limited, Engineer Ampaire Michael assured locals of quality work, job opportunities and quick completion of the works. He noted that the contract period is two years but pledged to finish all works within one year.

Geses Uganda limited was praised for having done great and quality work during the construction of Nyakinama Seed School in Nyakinama sub-county.