A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GETTING NAMUTAMBA DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL BACK ON THE MAP

A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO GETTING NAMUTAMBA DEMONSTRATION SCHOOL BACK ON THE MAP
In the 1970’s there were two schools I know quite well which were poor academically an in other school aspects, but today, that is history. These two schools in my reference are Kisubi Boys’ School and Nkumba Primary School. I knew Kisubi Boys’ School mostly during my 6 year stay at St. Mary’s College Kisubi (1974 – 1979) and Nkumba Primary School during the time when my Late Brother Isaac Kiwanuka taught there in the 1970’s.
Today, these schools are completely transformed and they excel at academics. Thanks to the commitment of the school administrators and the parents among others.
The advantage Namutamba Demonstration School has is that it moved from excelling to where it now stands, but many of the products of that excellence are a live and some are doing quite well. It calls for a few well organized people to draw up the plan for the Revival of Namutamba Demonstration School. I wish to categorically state that I wish to be among those that are committed to see the Dem School shine.

WHAT CAN WE DO?
1) We need to know the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of the Dem School. Among the strength of the school are the OBs and OGs who went through this school, some of whom are well connected and others can help through the use of Information and Communication Technology to see aid come to our school. The other Strength is the reputation the school or the name. The school has land which can be used for more construction of buildings as well as for agricultural purposes. One of the Weaknesses is such developments which are historical in nature that led to some people not feeling at home at Namutamba. There are a few cases which I wish not to outline here. What is needed is reconciliation and we move forward. The Threats would be the UPE umbrella which policy if not assisted externally by those of us who have the commitment, may make it difficult to see a balance of forces that can induce positive change into the academics of the children as well as the morale of the teaching staff. Opportunities, may be among others to exploit the likes of Lea Wilson family who if contacted may help in connecting the school to resourceful personalities and organizations outside Uganda. We have another opportunity being the OBs and OGs of the school who are in excelling schools who can give the Dem School resources including papers as set in their schools and professional advice. Another opportunity is the possibility of using the Internet resource which brings the whole world into one village, an area some of us are used to.
2) It may be necessary to have children from out of this area (immediate Namutamba hinterland) attending at the school. This may be possible if dormitories are put in place. This may induce OBs and OGs to have their children and grand children study at the Dem School.
3) We need to ensure that properly qualified teachers are in place and that their work is supervised after seeing to it that they are made comfortable to be in position to teach.
4) We need to have the actual picture of what the Dem School we are focusing on should be like.
5) We need to ensure that in all that is done dictatorship is not given chance. There are instances where a handful of people preside over each and everything and at the end of the day many would be players give in.
6) There is the need to be transparent. If any resources are procured for the school, personal enrichment MUST be out. There is need to ensure accountability. Many donors want to deal with people who are trustworthy