Written By | Jovita Hasto
The deputy speaker of parliament of Uganda greets the Arcbishop of Mbarara at Ibanda secondary school during Golden Jubilee Celebrations. photo jovita kyarisiima (1)
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JOVITA HASTO
Ibanda Secondary School is seeking Shs6.6 billion to construct a skilling hub aimed at equipping learners with information technology (IT) and hands-on practical skills.
The proposed multi-storey facility will have skilling rooms on the second floor, a main hall on the third floor and a gallery on the fourth floor.
The school says the project is necessary because Senior One and Senior Two students currently do not receive adequate computer lessons due to a lack of space. The school chapel is also being used as the main hall.
The Archbishop of Mbarara, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, commended the school's teachers and the Brothers of Christian Instruction for their contribution to the institution's development over the years.
The deputy speaker of Parliament of Uganda greets the Arcbishop of Mbarara at Ibanda secondary school during Golden Jubilee Celebrations. [Photo Jovita Hasto]
“You are the heartbeat of Ibanda. Your sacrifices, late nights marking books and your counsel to struggling students are the unseen prayers that have built this legacy. To the Brothers of Christian Instruction, you have provided leadership, discipline and spiritual formation to generations of young men,” he said.
Bainomugisha said the school had reached an important milestone as it celebrated 60 years of existence.
“We need to thank God who has made us reach this far. Today, we lift our hearts in gratitude and joy as we celebrate a milestone of Ibanda Secondary School, a ray of faith, learning and excellence in the heart of Ankole,” he said.
He described Ibanda Secondary School as one of the premier institutions in the region and one of the Catholic schools in Ankole that has consistently produced young men of integrity, competence and strength.
“For six decades, this school has been a nursery of human resources, producing leaders for the Church and professionals for the region. We have received more than 40 priests from this school, as well as citizens who serve Uganda and the world with dedication,” he said.
The school said the proposed project will cost approximately Shs6.6 billion.
“We are grateful to the current parents of the school for their contributions to the development fund,” the school said.
The school also thanked the Archbishop for supporting its efforts to secure a loan from Centenary Bank.
“Future parents' contributions will go towards clearing the loan, and we shall continue with the project,” the school said.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Uganda Rt. Hon Thomas Tayebwa laying a block at the Skilling Hub structure under construction at Ibanda Secondary School. Photo Jovuta Hasto]
School seeks government support
The head teacher of Ibanda Secondary School, Br Charles Agaba of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, said the school was established in 1966 with 70 learners.
He said some of the pioneer students attended the school's 60th anniversary celebrations, including Oscar Stanislaus Kamanyiro.
Agaba said the school had gone through several successes and challenges under different head teachers.
He said some of the challenges were internal, including student strikes, while others were external, particularly political interference and attempts to influence the management of the institution.
Despite the challenges, he said the school had continued to develop and currently has a Board of Governors and a Parents-Teachers Association supporting its operations.
Agaba said several structures, including classrooms, dormitories, the administration block and staff houses, were constructed in the 1960s and 1970s and now require rehabilitation and replacement.
He thanked the government for constructing some of the school's buildings and supporting its development over the years.
He said the school had embarked on the construction of a storied building to address its growing need for skilling, administrative and assembly space.
“We have come up with the idea of constructing a storied building to cater for most of these needs. This has already been translated into action with the help of our dear parents,” Agaba said.
He said the school had started construction and was grateful to parents, other contributors and Centenary Bank for supporting the project through financing.
Agaba also appealed to the government to support the school in rehabilitating its structures, including classrooms, sanitation facilities and staff houses.
He asked the government to help more staff members access the government payroll, support the construction of the proposed project and eventually grant-aid the school.
He also thanked the government for its continued support through the construction of facilities, payment of some staff members and provision of instructional materials.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, said the government had prioritised equipping learners with practical skills.
“The NRM government took a major decision to equip learners with skills and, as I have always said, education must serve a purpose and solve daily needs,” Tayebwa said.
He commended the Ibanda Secondary School Board for supporting skills development and contributing to the country's economic transformation.
Tayebwa, who laid the foundation stone for the proposed Ibanda Secondary School Skilling Centre, said the facility would help equip learners with skills needed to address poverty and contribute to the country's development.
“I now have the pleasure to lay the foundation stone for the Ibanda Secondary School Skilling Centre, which shall be used to enrich our children with skills that will be used in the fight against poverty that we have intensified in this nation,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to play their part in shaping the future of young people.
Oscar Stanislaus Kamanyiro, a pioneer student, said he joined Ibanda Secondary School in April 1966 and was invited back to celebrate the school's 60th anniversary and contribute to the construction project.
“When I got here, I was amazed by what has grown up in Ibanda. During our time, there was one building that had classrooms. We barely had much, but a lot of transformation has taken place,” Kamanyiro said.
He said the school had grown significantly from the time when it had only 70 students.
“Now the school is good and the learners are smart. In our time, we did not have uniforms, and the standards are getting better. There was also no Advanced Level. I am happy about the progress, and in future, a university may come here,” he said.
Dan Tamwesigire, another pioneer student who attended the school from 1967 to 1970 and later served as a teacher there, said the institution had made a significant contribution to Uganda's development.
“The impact of Ibanda Secondary School is enormous. The products of this school have contributed to teaching, engineering, including water and mechanical engineering, and politics. We have had political leaders who were part of the National Resistance Council,” Tamwesigire said.
He said the school had also produced more than 40 priests and contributed significantly to the service of the Church.
“We have many young men who have contributed economically to the country through entrepreneurship. We have also had innovative learners, people in security and many others. The impact is huge and cannot be underrated,” he said.
