St Jude Nakasi Primary School in Busembatia town council, Namutumba, has commended the Uganda Law Society (ULS) for donating scholastic materials to support teaching and learning at the school.
The donation included exercise books, textbooks, pens, pencils and other learning materials that will benefit pupils and teachers.
Speaking after receiving the items, the school’s head teacher, Joshua Waiswa, described the donation as timely, saying it comes at a time when the school is facing serious challenges that are affecting the quality of education.
“We are grateful to the Uganda Law Society for this generous support. It has come at the right time because our school is going through a very difficult period,” Waiswa said.
He said the school lacks enough classrooms, staff houses and other essential facilities. As a result, some lessons are conducted under trees because there is not enough classroom space.
“We do not have adequate classrooms or teachers’ houses. Many of our children cannot access meals at school, and sometimes we teach them under trees,” he said.
He appealed to the government to invest more in rural primary schools, saying improving teachers’ salaries alone is not enough to improve education standards.
“It is good that primary school teachers’ salaries have been increased, but that alone will not improve the quality of education if schools are not properly facilitated. We continue to see increasing numbers of children dropping out of school because many rural schools lack the basic resources needed to support learning,” Waiswa said.
The ULS’ Treasurer, Arthur Isiko, who handed over the scholastic materials, said the donation forms part of the society’s corporate social responsibility programme as it celebrates 70 years of service.
He said the LUS remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities while continuing to defend the rights of Ugandans.
“As we mark 70 years of existence, we are privileged to support vulnerable communities. As lawyers, we have a duty to defend Ugandans against all forms of oppression, including violations of human rights. Supporting education is one of the ways we contribute to building a better society,” Isiko said.
He said the society will continue carrying out community outreach activities aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people across the country.
