By Steven Enatu
In the remote village of Aukot Sub County, Gweri County, Soroti District, the Osuguro Community Nursery and Primary School has become a beacon of hope for local children. Located just a 20-minute drive from Soroti City, this community-driven initiative reflects the determination of families in an area where formal education has long been a distant dream.
As you approach the school, the vibrant voices of over 700 pupils fill the air, their laughter echoing against the backdrop of makeshift classrooms. Many sit on the bare, damp earth, their eager expressions reflecting a deep thirst for knowledge despite the rudimentary setting. With papyrus and iron sheets forming the roofs and walls, the environment is far from ideal, yet the spirit of learning persists.
Education is a fundamental right in Uganda, yet significant challenges remain. The Ministry of Education reports that about 1.5 million children are still out of school due to inadequate infrastructure and resources. In Aukot Sub County, the only government options for families seeking education are Opar and Awoja Primary Schools, located five kilometers away.
Osuguro was created by local parents who banded together to allocate land and build makeshift classrooms, driven by the belief that every child deserves an education.
Abraham Erupu, Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association, emphasizes, “This school is our hope, our first step toward a brighter future. We started this school because surrounding schools were too distant. One child was even hit by a vehicle while trekking to Awoja Primary School. Many of our children had been staying home. So, we began collecting 5,000 shillings from each household to set up these makeshift structures. We have hope, as we began with 400 pupils, but now we have 700, and this year we are optimistic about good performances in the Primary Leaving Exams,” he stressed.
He acknowledged that this is not the first support the school has received from Opolot. Previously, Opolot provided bricks that were used to construct the head teacher’s office and a latrine.
“From birth, I have never seen this kind of development. Our children were dropping out of school due to the long distances, and even our elected leaders have never helped us. Opolot has done something tremendous for us, yet he is not even our leader,” one parent expressed.
Tom Ojebe could not hide his joy. “I am excited by what I have seen today. We have hope that soon our school will have proper infrastructure to house our children. We are tired of leaders who make promises during elections, only to disappear afterward. Opolot has shown a good example even before we elect him. These are the kinds of leaders we need,” he said.
Despite challenges, including noise from simultaneous lessons in nearby classrooms, the determination of the children is unmistakable.
The community’s commitment is also evident in their support for the 14 dedicated teachers, funded directly by the parents. This initiative underscores the belief that education is a right no one can take away.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, a ray of hope arrived when Abel Opolot, an aspiring Member of Parliament for Gweri County under the FDC Party, delivered construction materials for two new classroom blocks.
Opolot believes that education is the best gift a child can receive and that it is a fundamental right.
According to Opolot, his move follows an urgent request from the Osuguro community to ensure that their children learn in a proper environment. He said the construction will take three months to complete.
