Hidden Treasures Primary School, Uganda - Jan 2025 Update
Since 2007, BJP has been a committed supporter of the Hidden Treasures Primary School in Kiyoola (Mukono District), a very poor village near to Lake Victoria. Pastor Mike Howell of Uganda Ministries has just returned from his annual trip to the school and has provided an update with regard the progress at the school site;
* General – The school continues to flourish academically and grow in size, however the on-going cost of living crisis in Uganda means that some families are still struggling to pay school fees. During the third term three parents passed away and one of them had six children in every class from nursery section up to primary 6!
During the year pupil numbers were at an average of 245. The school Staff remains the same as last year: a Head Teacher, 10 class teachers, plus a Bursar, a Cook and an Askari / Handyman. At the close of last year, 24 ‘candidate students’ took their P7 final (PLE) exams and the results were very encouraging with 2 students obtaining Division 1 and 22 Division 2.
In the regional athletics competition the school’s pupils went through the sub-zone level, finishing in the zonal level. Term 2 began with a number of cases of ‘red eye’ disease and a number of students were advised to remain at home until they had fully recovered. Also the school’s Bursar Grace Waiswa was suffering with painful arthritis and muscle spasms. Thankfully she is now recovering.
We are pleased to report that some of the school’s former pupils who moved on to Secondary School have excelled academically scoring first grades in their ‘O’ Level exams. Another has qualified as an electrician and is to be married in February 2025 and another recently graduated from Uganda Christian University in Mukono.
* School Buildings / Land – The new pupil toilet block, kitchen and rest room are still in need of painting but this work will need to wait until finances are available. During 2024 it was reported that the roof to the main classroom block was leaking and in need of repair and repainting. This work was carried out at a cost of £1400 (UGX 6.3 million) financed by UM. The guttering and downpipes will need to be replaced but this work will also wait until finances become available.
In June 2024 a balance of UGX 10 million (£2,223) was still outstanding for the purchase of a new piece of land. At a meeting of the School Management Committee in June (during Mike’s visit to Uganda) it was agreed that the payment of this balance was to be the first financial priority. During 2024 £1723 (UGX 1.95 million) was sent out by UM towards this and it is hoped that the final payment will be made in early 2025. During the recent heavy rains, the school was allowed to start using the land before the completion of the purchase, and planted 700 eucalyptus trees to put off would be trespassers.
* School Management Committee – The committee has continued to meet and is working well to provide oversight and ensure the good governance of the school’s finances and its general welfare. Dan Muwanguzi continues as the UM representative on this committee.
~ Pastor Mike Howell, Uganda Ministries
