Moses Kamya, the Director of Mustard Seed Humanist Secondary School, Busota, Uganda, has set out what happens to students when they leave school. This is his account:
“It is good news to hear that donors are interested to hear about our students’ performance when they leave school. Our students have many opportunities for later advancement:
About 10 join universities each year, eg Ivan Kayondo is a second year BSc education student at Busitema university , Joan Mukisa is a second year law student at Makerere University ( all were UHST sponsored). David Banige is in third year doing BSc Agric, Paul Madandha completed a degree in primary teaching, Derick Mulondo(UHST funded) is a third year BScEduc student at Busitema University, etc.
About 10 join secondary school teacher training, eg Mathias Ochan(UHST funded) is now teaching with us having done a diploma in teacher training at Kaliro teachers college. Other former students teaching with us after after completing a diploma include Nyago Andrew, Matege Conelius, Okello Peres and Hellen Namaganda.
Of late many of our children have taken up nursing and other medical courses after senior four, about 20 each year. Gilbert Tusubira(UHST funded) is completing a two year nursing course, Baidu Simon(UHST funded) is in year one doing lab technology, Hellen Mukoda has completed her nursing course from Jinja, others on the nursing course are Shafik Mpaata(first year), Joan Nyabweze(first year) Perinah Kyowansa(second year), Doreen Nabirye(second year) Grace Mukoda(second year), Viola Bugonzi(first year).
Joan Mukisa is about to start the third year of her degree at the prestigious Makerere University Law School.
About 15 join other vocational courses in technical institutions like carpentry, catering, beauty and cosmetology, motor vehicle driving and mechanics, plumbing, welding and fabrication, secretarial courses, primary teachers colleges, book keeping, and others. Gloria Mukyala(UHST sponsored), completed a primary teachers certificate from Iganga teachers college last year, Lukia Naigaga (UHST funded) has just finished her certificate in catering from Kamuli polytechnical school. After further vocational training our former students become secretaries, car mechanics, carpenters, welders, builders, salon operators and other trades.
About 50 every year with poorer O levels and those that fail A level become self employed as farmers, bricklayers, shop keepers, boda bodas riders (motobike taxis), making street food like chapati and rolex (a filled chapati and omelette), hotel and bar workers, market vendors. Sosi Kalema finished with us in 2015 and is now a taxi driver plying the Kamuli-Jinja route.
About 10 every year completely drop out of school without any job. Being in the 16-19 age range, some marry and become peasant farmers.
About 10 to 15 students go into many other fields, such as IT, music, art and design, truck drivers, DJs, comedians, taxi park, brokers, fish mongers, barbers, cobblers, motorcycle repairers, sugar cane cutters/loaders and even politics. Kaima Alex sat A level with us in 2017. He is now the youth counsellor for the Southern division in Kamuli municipality and has a place on the town council. Ivan Naulere completed S6 in 2017. Using the knowledge he obtained from computer studies, he established a computer training school in Wakiso district near Kampala.
So, as you can see, education at Mustard Seed School opens up many avenues for making a living.”
Juliet Nakyanzi has been appointed to head the kindergarten section of the new Isaac Newton Humanist Primary School. She is very knowledgeable about childhood education and has a great passion for young children, having a young baby of her own. Peter Kisirinya, the school’s Director, is delighted to welcome her to this key post in the new school.
Juliet Nakyanzi was born in 1991 to young parents. Her father was a laboratory technician in the main regional hospital. Unfortunately, Juliet became an orphan in Primary 3 losing both of her parents to HIV/Aids. She later joined Isaac Newton High School, being one of the first students to be awarded a scholarship paid for by a UHST supporter. After passing her UCE O-level exams in 2010, she went on to study early Childhood education. Juliet gained her Teaching Certificate and then passed her Advanced Diploma in 2014, Her first post was in a private nursery which, like many other private schools, closed down in 2020 due to Covid.
Since we bought the new primary school in May it has been completely transformed. The school has a new cook house, new toilets, walls have been repaired and painted and books and play materials have been purchased. The first picture below shows the primary school from the front gate. The second picture shows work in progress on building the new kindergarten, which should be completed by September.
Newly refurbished Isaac Newton Humanist Primary SchoolConstruction of new kindergarten for children aged 3 to 5
Peter Kisirinya would like to thank all UHST supporters who sent donations to make possible the purchase and refurbishment of the new humanist primary school. The local community is delighted to have an inclusive primary school embracing liberal humanist values, and operating alongside Isaac Newton Humanist High School, which has gained huge respect over the years. The schools together give hope for a better future to the whole community.
Senior 4 students at the Humanist High Schools in Uganda have performed well in their 2020 O-level exams.
The Uganda Certificate in Education, widely referred to as Ordinary-level exams, are taken at age 16. To gain an overall grade, students must pass in all of 7 core subjects. The final total across the 7 provides an aggregate grade, which forms the basis of league tables, which rank schools by district and nationally. Just over 6% of students in Uganda achieve an aggregate grade 1 over 7 subjects.
In 2020, the final year of study was very much affected by school closures due to Covid. To help students, the UNEB exam board assessed them on the basis of a restricted syllabus, which the schools were informed of some months before the final exam.
22% of Isaac Newton students gained Grade 1. This placed the school 9 out of 36 schools in its district. If they had included grade 2, then the school would have been higher, as 40% of its students gained either 1 or 2.
Another pleasing feature is that the school produced the 3rd highest performing individual student in the District, and 2 were in the top 20 students. The school is clearly operating at the highest level and its teachers extend even the brightest students.
At Mustard Seed School in Busota, 10% of students gained Grade 1, well above the national average. The school ranked 6th out of 30 schools in its District. A feature of Uganda, in common with most other countries, is that the highest school performance is in richer neighbourhoods of the country. This means that results are higher around Kampala, the capital, where most higher income families live, and declines towards the more remote rural areas, where more people depend upon subsistence agriculture.
The results were a source of joy among students and families. The picture shows Sylvia Nakaibale, from Mustard Seed School, with her family. She holds a copy of the national newspaper containing the UCE results. Sylvia is the only child in secondary school in her family. All her older brothers dropped out of school due to lack of money to pay fees. Her father is a herbalist, but earns little money. He is proud of his daughter’s achievement, which has only been possible because she gained a scholarship that was generously funded by a UHST supporter. His hope now is that Sylvia will be able to get support to study for UACE (Advanced level) and possibly later to enrol in university to become the shining light in their family.
There can be little doubt that UHST scholarships provide a vital life line to a better future for bright young people from poorer homes. As the network of Humanist Schools expands we shall need to find more people who are willing to support children through their education.
Posted: August 18, 2021 by Steve Hurd
What happens to students when they leave school?
Moses Kamya, the Director of Mustard Seed Humanist Secondary School, Busota, Uganda, has set out what happens to students when they leave school. This is his account:
“It is good news to hear that donors are interested to hear about our students’ performance when they leave school. Our students have many opportunities for later advancement:
About 10 join universities each year, eg Ivan Kayondo is a second year BSc education student at Busitema university , Joan Mukisa is a second year law student at Makerere University ( all were UHST sponsored). David Banige is in third year doing BSc Agric, Paul Madandha completed a degree in primary teaching, Derick Mulondo(UHST funded) is a third year BScEduc student at Busitema University, etc.
About 10 join secondary school teacher training, eg Mathias Ochan(UHST funded) is now teaching with us having done a diploma in teacher training at Kaliro teachers college. Other former students teaching with us after after completing a diploma include Nyago Andrew, Matege Conelius, Okello Peres and Hellen Namaganda.
Of late many of our children have taken up nursing and other medical courses after senior four, about 20 each year. Gilbert Tusubira(UHST funded) is completing a two year nursing course, Baidu Simon(UHST funded) is in year one doing lab technology, Hellen Mukoda has completed her nursing course from Jinja, others on the nursing course are Shafik Mpaata(first year), Joan Nyabweze(first year) Perinah Kyowansa(second year), Doreen Nabirye(second year) Grace Mukoda(second year), Viola Bugonzi(first year).
Joan Mukisa is about to start the third year of her degree at the prestigious Makerere University Law School.
About 15 join other vocational courses in technical institutions like carpentry, catering, beauty and cosmetology, motor vehicle driving and mechanics, plumbing, welding and fabrication, secretarial courses, primary teachers colleges, book keeping, and others. Gloria Mukyala(UHST sponsored), completed a primary teachers certificate from Iganga teachers college last year, Lukia Naigaga (UHST funded) has just finished her certificate in catering from Kamuli polytechnical school. After further vocational training our former students become secretaries, car mechanics, carpenters, welders, builders, salon operators and other trades.
About 50 every year with poorer O levels and those that fail A level become self employed as farmers, bricklayers, shop keepers, boda bodas riders (motobike taxis), making street food like chapati and rolex (a filled chapati and omelette), hotel and bar workers, market vendors. Sosi Kalema finished with us in 2015 and is now a taxi driver plying the Kamuli-Jinja route.
About 10 every year completely drop out of school without any job. Being in the 16-19 age range, some marry and become peasant farmers.
About 10 to 15 students go into many other fields, such as IT, music, art and design, truck drivers, DJs, comedians, taxi park, brokers, fish mongers, barbers, cobblers, motorcycle repairers, sugar cane cutters/loaders and even politics. Kaima Alex sat A level with us in 2017. He is now the youth counsellor for the Southern division in Kamuli municipality and has a place on the town council. Ivan Naulere completed S6 in 2017. Using the knowledge he obtained from computer studies, he established a computer training school in Wakiso district near Kampala.
So, as you can see, education at Mustard Seed School opens up many avenues for making a living.”
Posted: August 6, 2021 by Steve Hurd
Isaac Newton appoints old girl to lead new Kindergarten
Juliet Nakyanzi has been appointed to head the kindergarten section of the new Isaac Newton Humanist Primary School. She is very knowledgeable about childhood education and has a great passion for young children, having a young baby of her own. Peter Kisirinya, the school’s Director, is delighted to welcome her to this key post in the new school.
Juliet Nakyanzi was born in 1991 to young parents. Her father was a laboratory technician in the main regional hospital. Unfortunately, Juliet became an orphan in Primary 3 losing both of her parents to HIV/Aids. She later joined Isaac Newton High School, being one of the first students to be awarded a scholarship paid for by a UHST supporter. After passing her UCE O-level exams in 2010, she went on to study early Childhood education. Juliet gained her Teaching Certificate and then passed her Advanced Diploma in 2014, Her first post was in a private nursery which, like many other private schools, closed down in 2020 due to Covid.
Since we bought the new primary school in May it has been completely transformed. The school has a new cook house, new toilets, walls have been repaired and painted and books and play materials have been purchased. The first picture below shows the primary school from the front gate. The second picture shows work in progress on building the new kindergarten, which should be completed by September.
Peter Kisirinya would like to thank all UHST supporters who sent donations to make possible the purchase and refurbishment of the new humanist primary school. The local community is delighted to have an inclusive primary school embracing liberal humanist values, and operating alongside Isaac Newton Humanist High School, which has gained huge respect over the years. The schools together give hope for a better future to the whole community.
Posted: August 4, 2021 by Steve Hurd
Humanist High Schools break the Grade Barrier
Senior 4 students at the Humanist High Schools in Uganda have performed well in their 2020 O-level exams.
The Uganda Certificate in Education, widely referred to as Ordinary-level exams, are taken at age 16. To gain an overall grade, students must pass in all of 7 core subjects. The final total across the 7 provides an aggregate grade, which forms the basis of league tables, which rank schools by district and nationally. Just over 6% of students in Uganda achieve an aggregate grade 1 over 7 subjects.
In 2020, the final year of study was very much affected by school closures due to Covid. To help students, the UNEB exam board assessed them on the basis of a restricted syllabus, which the schools were informed of some months before the final exam.
22% of Isaac Newton students gained Grade 1. This placed the school 9 out of 36 schools in its district. If they had included grade 2, then the school would have been higher, as 40% of its students gained either 1 or 2.
Another pleasing feature is that the school produced the 3rd highest performing individual student in the District, and 2 were in the top 20 students. The school is clearly operating at the highest level and its teachers extend even the brightest students.
At Mustard Seed School in Busota, 10% of students gained Grade 1, well above the national average. The school ranked 6th out of 30 schools in its District. A feature of Uganda, in common with most other countries, is that the highest school performance is in richer neighbourhoods of the country. This means that results are higher around Kampala, the capital, where most higher income families live, and declines towards the more remote rural areas, where more people depend upon subsistence agriculture.
The results were a source of joy among students and families. The picture shows Sylvia Nakaibale, from Mustard Seed School, with her family. She holds a copy of the national newspaper containing the UCE results. Sylvia is the only child in secondary school in her family. All her older brothers dropped out of school due to lack of money to pay fees. Her father is a herbalist, but earns little money. He is proud of his daughter’s achievement, which has only been possible because she gained a scholarship that was generously funded by a UHST supporter. His hope now is that Sylvia will be able to get support to study for UACE (Advanced level) and possibly later to enrol in university to become the shining light in their family.
There can be little doubt that UHST scholarships provide a vital life line to a better future for bright young people from poorer homes. As the network of Humanist Schools expands we shall need to find more people who are willing to support children through their education.