Moses Kamya, the Director of Mustard Seed School, reports on another year of progress:
“We closed for the end of 2018 holidays on the 7th of December with a total enrolment of 565 children, 333 of whom were in boarding. We conducted UNEB exams successfully and are expecting good results early next year. The increase in enrollment demonstrates growing community acceptance of secular education.
Thanks to our supporters in Uganda Humanist Schools Trust and particularly Steve and Hilary Hurd ( who make annual visits to the school and mobilise ongoing funding) we have made the following achievements over the past year:
Adding to our existing stock of text books to enable children to research and thus take charge of their own learning. Lots of other books to enable reading for pleasure.
Purchase of science equipment and chemicals to facilitate practicals that promote evidence-based learning.
Girls receiving Afripads
Giving all our girls free reusable sanitary pads that has promoted retention in school and confidence.
Our new 4-classroom block is now fully operational. Next year, this will allow us to reduce class sizes by running two parallel classes from senior one to four.
Construction of a multipurpose hall to be used upon completion for concerts, meetings, exams etc
Giving scholarships to 67 financially disadvantaged but bright children to attnd school so they can be able to help themselves and others in future.
Extension of piped water to the school via the national water authority.
Race on Sports Day
Fencing off the playing field site for students safety.
Humanism
In addition to teaching the curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Education, we have been able to introduce critical thinking lessons. Dan Beat, from UK, visited in October holding a workshop on critical thinking for both staff and children. David Pollock from IHEU equally visited with his wife Louis in October and gave us courage in efforts to provide a humanist education to children in Uganda.
Children have participated in open debates, charity activities at school and in the nearby community. The humanist club football team narrowly missed winning this year’s club football competitions at the end of year.
Girls’ Football Team
Teacher Simon, the school’s Humanist Counsellor, has been attending an online course to become a humanist celebrant. The course was set up by Kato Mukasa of Uganda Humanist Association, with help from some Scottish Humanists. Simon will be graduating next february.
The school maintains good relations with the local community who supply the school with foodstuffs. As Mustard Seed School has grown it has become a substantail financial contributor to the local economy. The wages it pays to staff are spent in the local community on housing, foodstuffs and other articles. The school paid 2 million Uganda Shillings (£445) as local government tax to municipal authorities and 3 million USh (£667) as social security fund contributions to fund staff pensions.”
A Further Year of Progress at Mustard Seed School
Posted: December 12, 2018 by Steve Hurd
Moses Kamya, the Director of Mustard Seed School, reports on another year of progress:
Giving all our girls free reusable sanitary pads that has promoted retention in school and confidence.
Fencing off the playing field site for students safety.
Humanism
In addition to teaching the curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Education, we have been able to introduce critical thinking lessons. Dan Beat, from UK, visited in October holding a workshop on critical thinking for both staff and children. David Pollock from IHEU equally visited with his wife Louis in October and gave us courage in efforts to provide a humanist education to children in Uganda.
Teacher Simon, the school’s Humanist Counsellor, has been attending an online course to become a humanist celebrant. The course was set up by Kato Mukasa of Uganda Humanist Association, with help from some Scottish Humanists. Simon will be graduating next february.
Category: News