Bulobi Primary School Celebrates New Buildings

One year ago, Bulobi Primary School was a typical government school in Uganda, operating out of mud structures and incomplete classrooms with a booming student population. Most of their classrooms were without floors, windows, and doors, creating an inadequate learning environment. Yet, children still came to learn, and lots of them. Their largest class had 170 pupils, one teacher. A year ago now, you would not recognize the school you see today.

Through partnership with the Kamal Foundation, REACH for Uganda, Bududa Local District Government, and the Bulobi community, Bulobi Primary School has now been transformed. Over the past year, all

A five classroom block after construction

stakeholders have contributed to build 8 new classrooms, construct a new kitchen, and complete the 4 unfinished classrooms at Bulobi Primary School. A local contractor from the community,Mr. Stephen Wakyaya, showed strong leadership in organizing the project, and many community volunteers and parents provided much of the physical work and labor to build the school. We are happy to announce that this work was recently successfully completed on January 23, just in time for the start of the new school year! The new classrooms are beautiful, with crisp black chalkboards, glossy desks, and a clean concrete floor. Most importantly,

Bulobi School block 2 after construction

the school felt officially complete when it was filled with faces of happy children, who are now proud of their school and eager to learn. The positive momentum in their school is almost tangible, and the school administration, teachers, and parents have found fresh motivation to improve the future of their children. It is amazing what new facilities can do to enable other opportunities. Bulobi Primary School has taken the initiative to begin several programs to cultivate a strong learning environment. First of all, Bulobi started off the year by committing to limiting classrooms sizes to manageable numbers. Each grade was split into 2 classrooms, one for strong learners and one for weak learners. Additionally, each classroom was capped off at 60 students per teacher. In doing this, students are able to receive customized attention, and teachers are better equipped to address the needs of their students.

Kids enjoying some food after the introduction of the food program

Secondly, utilizing the new kitchen, Bulobi Primary School also started a school wide feeding program at the start of the school year. They are one of the first public schools in Bududa District to do so. In most schools in Uganda, children can go all day without eating, leading to school absenteeism and lack of concentration due to hunger. When feeding programs are introduced though, children are adequately nourished, leading to better health and growth, and in turn, they are also adequately educated, by increasing mental acuity and motivating school attendance. As a partner, we are excited to see and support Bulobi Primary School as they work to create a model government school in Bududa District.