NICHOLAS A
Sr. Boneconcillah Atuhairwe, head of the Unit for the Deaf at Nyakibale Lower Primary School in Southern Division, Rukungiri Municipality, has urged the government to increase support for the education of deaf students to promote equality between the deaf and other Ugandans.
She made these remarks on Sunday during a farewell party for Primary Seven candidates at Nyakibale Lower Primary School, which included some deaf pupils preparing for their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) in November 2024.
Sr. Boneconcillah expressed concern over the challenges faced by deaf P7 graduates, many of whom struggle to find opportunities for further education due to the lack of government secondary schools or vocational institutions specifically for the deaf. She emphasized that these educational gaps hinder the success of talented deaf pupils.
The head teacher, Henry Byarugaba, reported that the P7 class of 2024 consists of 76 candidates, including 3 from the Unit for the Deaf. He stated that the syllabus had been completed and the school was now focused on guiding the candidates through revision.
Namanya Darius, one of the candidates, expressed gratitude to the school authorities for their efforts in preparing the students for the PLE and vowed to use the remaining time to prepare adequately for the national exams.
Cornelius Byarugaba, the accountant at Kalori Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale, attended as the guest of honor. He encouraged the candidates to use the remaining time wisely and prepare thoroughly for the PLE to compete at a national level. He urged them to maintain a positive mindset in order to succeed in life.
Also in attendance was Mrs. Neema Jane, the former deputy head teacher, who advised the candidates to remain calm, reassuring them that the PLE is no different from the other exams they have taken. She also urged teachers to understand the different learning paces of their pupils, noting that some students grasp concepts quickly, while others require additional support during revisions.
