In August 2022, work was started on construction of a primary school in Magwi, South Sudan. Please follow this post with updates on this exciting new project by Schools for Refugees.
September 2022 Uganda
All schools in Uganda reopened for term one (of three) on January 10, 2022. Students advanced one class year from where they last resided. The schools were shut down for 18 months. Teachers provide remedial teaching to provide learners the opportunity to catch up to grade level during their first year back in the classroom. Term one for 2022 ended on April 15 and term two ended on August 9. Term three starts on September 4. The number of primary school students enrolled for term two was: Primary 1-144; Primary 2-122; Primary 3-110; Primary 4-110; Primary 5-96; Primary 6-60; Primary 7-44. There is only one classroom for each level (grade). During term two, St. Bakhita teachers were evaluated by the Ministry of Education. Six teachers without proper teaching credentials are not paid by the Uganda Government, but are paid by the parents through school fees.
About 40% of Uganda’s primary schools and 60% of its secondaries are private institutions, run by individuals, religious organisations, charities, and businesses, with no help from the local authorities. With no government support, their main source of income is through school fees, which may cover many running costs, including teachers’ salaries, ranging from $90 to $250 (300,000 to 880,000 Ugandan shillings) a month. With many private schools unable to open due to lack of funds, the number of students in many government schools has skyrocketed.
Education was at a crossroad during the Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdowns accounted for school closures that left almost two dead years for most of the school-going children. Reports highlight numerous challenges faced by the learners including child neglect and abuse; physical, sexual, and psychological.
In 2022, Schools for Refugees continues to provide scholarship aid to 16 secondary(high school) students who graduated from St. Bakhita N&P. In 2022, SFR added payment for full scholarships to two female university students to assist them in continuing their education.
2020-2021 School Shutdown
The Uganda government initially closed schools, including St. Bakhita Nursery and Primary School until May 19, 2020 due to the concern about spreading the covid-19 virus. That date was extended. The students and teachers are staying close to home and due to lack of textbooks and computers, formal learning has come to a halt. As of May 16, 2020 in the entire country of Uganda, are 227 reported cases of the virus with no deaths and no community transmission. 42 cases are Uganda nationals. 63 have recovered, There is one reported case in the neighboring town of Masindi. Most cases are foreign truck drivers tested and quarantined at the eastern and northern borders.