Kamwnege District Stakeholders Resolve to strengthen the Education Sector

"My Government is funding these NGOs" Ms. Beatrace Akello, RDC, Kamwenge district noted at the district dialogue on Wednesday 5 December, 2012 in the Education Department Board Room.

Ms. Beatrace Akello ( Standing), RDC Kamwenge, at the dialogue meeting on 5 Dec. 2012

 "This meeting is not like other anti-corruption meetings where people come to blame and quarrel, we have all noted the role we play in improving service delivery in the education sector". The RDC also noted that, Government was working on the salary increment of teachers, but she challenged Education department to follow up on the UPE funds sent to schools. The dialogue meeting organised by KALI/RWECO was a follow up of the many consultative meetings, joint monitoring and public tracking activities carried in Kamwenge district by RWECO, KALI and Link Community Development.

The highly attended dialogue meeting by NGOs/CSOs supporting the Education department resolved to hold regular meetings to update the Education department about the progress in the sector.

Mr. Robert Kamasaka, LCV, Kamwenge District Local Government speaking at the dialogue meeting on 5 Dec. 2012

 while giving a key note address the LCV Chairperson Kamwenge District, Mr. Robert Kamasaka, noted that improved service delivery was top on the council agenda. The chairperson also applauded the Government of Uganda, and development partners for the continued support given. He said his council would follow up on the recommendations of the dialogue and asked the Education department and the Secretary Education to write a report and inform council.  

Mr. Martin Muwereza, (right) chatting with Mr. Julius Akorinako the DIS, Kamwenge district, 5 Dec. 2012

In a brief speech, Mr. Martin Muwereza, the Program manager Democratic Governance & Accountability Program (DGAP), appreciated the approach applied by RWECO in utilising the Government-CSO nexus that promotes collaboration. Mr. Martin, noted that, DGAP was funding RWECO and other four CSOs under the social accountability component of the EU Funded program and that, DGAP was supporting, Uganda Prison Service, Police and Parliament of Uganda. Mr. Martin, also visited the Kamwenge district  E-Society that was  funded by EU/Hivos/DGAP (http://www.kamwenge.go.ug/ )

The participants who included representatives from: UNICEF, Hima Cement, Save the Children, World Vision, Office of the Prime Minister ( Rwamwanja Settlement) East Ruwenzori Diocese, Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, UNATO, UNITE, KADEVDO, the Media, District Executive, RDC, PTA/SMC, zonal Primary school head teachers, retired teachers District technical staff and a team from the Ministry of Local Government. FURA an NGO also implementing an EU/DGAP/Oxfam GB project in Kasese also attended the dialogue meeting.

The guest speakers were, Mr. Douglas Christopher Katemba ( Former District Education Officer, Kasese), Mr. Julius Akorinako , the district Inspector of Schools Kamwenge and Mr. Jackson Mugarura, the Head teacher of Malera Primary School who presented on the Malera miracle as a performing primary school despite being a grade 4 UPE school, had 1894 pupils had 28 pupils in division one ( 2011).

RWECO and KALI pledged to support the district in documenting the Malera Primary School story and Kitonzi Primary school that proved to best performing schools. In reaction to the presentations, the participants recommended that, the DEO/DIS should brief the district top leadership on the progress of education, that district meeting for Head teachers at the beginning of the term be called and Mr. Jackson Mugarura Head Teacher Malera Primary School will be a gust speaker.

The dialogue was about improving service delivery in the education sector and thus all stakeholders had a role to play to make the district achieve the education objectives. In the earlier, consultative meetings, RWECO had noted that, the 2012/13 budget for the Education sector was 37% of the total district budget, and the question was, will the 37% be translated into quality education in Kamwenge district?

By Jimmy B. Odyek
RWECO