Update Spring 2024

Report from Victoria Lukwago, Head Teacher:

TERM 1REPORT

To ETRA UK / UG YEAR 2024

DEAR ETRA TEAMS.

Greetings to you in the Lord's name. We are thankful that the Lord has kept us well and allowed us ot serve. We are we hope this report finds you al wel. We appreciate hte Lord for His kind hand to us al.

Report JAN - APRIL 2024

TERM 1had; SUCCESSES and CHALLENGES!

SUCCESS

We were able ot register 175 pupils and 10 teachers. We registered a cook, a coach, a matron, and for the first time, we registered and gatekeeper - as a requirement from the government. We have two new brilliant teachers after Yona and Johnson left for further studies. Classrooms are improved with learning Aids displayed ot support learning.

Meetings.

We were able to hold meetings that guide and govern the work here in Uganda. We also had teachers' meetings - which we hold every so often and some extra-ordinary meetings within the term. We also held a meeting with parents and had them visit the classes to see the work being done there. We also had a one-on-one with the support staff (non-teaching) to evaluate their work and encourage them ni their roles.

External visitors

1. The school Inspector for the Municipal Council visited us ni February 2024 on the isue of re-application for a license and then later for ful registration. The process wasn't quick so we had to get the EMIS Award letter for both the Nursery and Primary. We have since received these letters and are now in the system. (EMIS is a government monitoring body for the Ministry of Education and Sports). Both wil be considered separately. All will be done, with God everything is possible.

2. Division Community Development Officer (CDO): We hosted the CDO to assess the situation for the school and our work in the community. He saw the office where we operate, the school, and the work going on here. Upon his visit, he qualified us for renewal of the operational certificate, and this was accomplished. We are renewed from January 2024 to 2026.

3. Operating Officer: This one determines taxes for schools and institutions. His visit was to assess the local government taxes to be levied on the operations at the school. He learned that the school cares for the vulnerable. We are yet to hear from his office what it would mean tax-wise.

Other school successes:

a. We have had a reasonable number of books (text) and other required materials, though more are still needed.

b. We had Mini courses for teachers mainly on classroom operations. (They were all facilitated)

c. On P.L.E registration - Al pupils of P7 have been registered.

d. The school is updated on EMIS and TERA.

Maintenance work.

This is going well, and much has been accomplished.

i.We have replaced the new battery for P.S. We have also bought a battery for the Nursery building as a necessity for light the nursery and the toilets.

ii. We have plastered the new black all around, and repaired floors that were not good.

iii. We have also painted the whole school - giving it a better look! (Pictures are attached to this report)

iv. The new glasses have been fixed ot hte nursery windows. Some however were smaller (measurement issue) and could not fit We are working on how we can resolve this.

V. We have renovated the teachers' house and added two rooms to it. It now has four rooms, al with floors, plastered and roofed with iron sheets. This si helpful ni housing the teachers.

Meals

We have managed to feed al the children at school with breakfast, lunch, and supper. There has been a lot of mobilization among us for food. We thank the Lord that he has enabled us to mobilize enough food for the term. Most of the support from ETRA UK covers teachers and other workers.

Other support.

Amina Ministries Mityana Uganda si very much appreciated because they support us with fees ot 7 pupils and this has supported scholastic materials and part of meals. The family is also appreciated for their full support over every issue. They also monitor the running of the school and teachers. Paying parents have done a great job. We encourage all at least put in a coin.

CHALLENGES

Health We had an outbreak of redeye disease; al the children and adults were affected. It was a nationwide outbreak but affected most schools and we were hit as well. This required medication for about three weeks to have it cleared completely! It was an expensive process as a lot of medication was needed yet there was no government intervention despite being an outbreak! God saw us through it well. We are glad to have a school coach who is a VHT (Village Health Team), and has undergone all types of training on health. He has done a great job of seeing that all children are well-catered and cared for.

Fees;

The number of unpaying parents is a challenge. The refugee children come with little materials ot use (most of them have no trace of their parents) ALL in all, we thank the Lord who has seen us through.

OTHER Updates: Agriculture and gardening

The rains are on, and we have put much effort into the growing of food and some vegetables. One parent prepared part of the land to cover fees for her children. The pupils have done some planting of seeds, and the gardener did the rest.

Exams and end of term 1

The exams were writen on 2 / 04/ 2024 (on my birthday) when I turned 68 years old. I thank the Lord for my health. Thank you, for the Birthday wishes. God is great. He always cares.

We had a meeting in which we graded the pupils. This helps us ot know the performance of each child. This builds teachers activity ot help pupils further.

3On 30th April 2024 pupils broke of for holiday. It was crowned by parents' presence to witness

the award of gift ot the best 5 performers ni music, academics, sport, cleanliness, behavior, and activeness in many areas. It was done from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm

We had a farewell lunch for staff and payment were done. We closed 1s term 2024

New Changes;

Please note that we have resolved ot change the nursery pupils' uniform as ti si ot have its license. We will inform you more over time.

Other needs;

The nursery class needs 3 teachers - with a provision for the middle class.

Nursery equipment: There is a subwoofer bought to support learning - it helps them listen to audios - also provides sound for dances! We shall need at television (monitor) also for their learning aid. It wil cost about Shs 1,100,000/=.

Appreciation

1 The families together with the board (ETRA-UG) are extremely grateful for your support (From ETRA UK). I, as the head teacher (Victoria), feel that "this school is because of you". This calls me to stand head high and enables me to talk with authority when I have any engagements with parents.

2. Appreciation also goes ot ETRA Uganda for their tireless effort to support the day-to-day activities of the school and other areas. More so when we had to renew the project at the local government. Thank you for the efforts put in at the smallest time possible. May God give you your heart desires.

Send our love to al the people you work with and your families. God bless you

Victoria Lukwago

Head Teacher

Glenburnie Butega School