OZU Primary School, nestled in the heart of Arua, Ayibu constituency, stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of a community committed to education. The school began its journey under the shade of a tree, known locally as “kwi,” when it was founded by a community member named Gasper in 1956. What started as a humble initiative to provide basic education to the children of the area has evolved into a significant institution that has weathered numerous challenges over the decades.
In 1962, the Christian Missionaries took over the management of the school, bringing with them resources and a more structured approach to education. This marked a turning point for the school, as it was no longer just a community-run initiative but began to take shape as a formal educational institution. Two years later, in 1964, a church was built, and the school was relocated to a new site within the same year, further establishing its presence in the community.
The school’s journey continued, and in 1971, it became a government-aided school, ensuring that it received the necessary support to sustain its operations and grow. However, the progress was interrupted in 1979 when the school was destroyed during the war, a devastating blow that the community and the school management had to overcome in the following years.
Today, under the leadership of Florence Angundaru, the headteacher, and a dedicated School Management Committee (SMC) comprising members like Alfred Anguyo, Agnes Agiyo, and the District Education Officer (DEO), the school continues to strive for excellence. The parish priest also plays a crucial role on the board, reflecting the continued involvement of the church in the school’s affairs.
Despite the school’s growth, it faces significant challenges. The student-to-book ratio is a staggering 1:7, highlighting the dire need for more educational resources. The school’s sports program, led by Lilamukator Amin, is also in need of support, as are other critical areas like teacher accommodation and access to clean water. The large piece of land that the school occupies presents an opportunity to build more classrooms, but resources are limited.
Kitabu-Buk Project commitment to this course would not have been a reality without remarkable contribution from Partner Organizations like Read To Grow- a New York Based non-profit, Read To Grow- a Dutch Organization, Baroque Book Publishers and Apple Kids Nursery School. Through these partnerships, Kitabu-Buk Project held a significant donation on the 2nd of August 2024 at the school under the theme “Uplifting West Nile Region.” The event was a collaborative effort to address some of the school’s most pressing needs where total of 250 textbooks, 384 exercise books, 40 mathematical sets for P7 candidates, 2 cartons of pens, 120 pencils, 144 packets of sanitary pads, and 20 charts were distributed, amounting to a total of Ten million shillings (UGX 10,000,000) providing much-needed relief to both students and teachers.
During the donation event, Kitabu-Buk Project team also engaged the students in the advocacy toolkit where they interacted with the learners and encouraging them to air out the challenges they face at school as well as give reasons why they come to school. Notably, Mr. Aggrey the Kitabu-Buk Project Mobilization Director, inspired the learners in his peptalk and encouraged them to be lawyers like himself. This was evident when Ms. Nancy Ario, a P.7 pupil later on while addressing the school and giving her vote of thanks address said ‘Today, I am greatly inspired and I would like to be a lawyer too, I will work hard to achieve this dream. And will pay more attention to subjects that can enable me to be a lawyer’
The event was marked by speeches that underscored the importance of community support in education. Ms. Agnes, the District Education Officer (DEO) representative expressed her gratitude to the Kitabu-Buk Project team, ‘ I never expected this initiative is run by young people, if all the youths out there would follow the footsteps of these young people, then Uganda would have no problems’ The SMC expressed their gratitude for the donations and the presence of the donors, acknowledging that these contributions would significantly improve the learning conditions at the school. They also highlighted the ongoing challenges, particularly the need for clean water and better accommodation for teachers, urging continued support to uplift the school and the community at large.
Despite the hurdles, there is a sense of optimism at Ozu Primary School. The leadership is committed to improving the school’s infrastructure and educational outcomes. Last year, the school saw 6 or 8 students achieving second grades, although there were no first grades. The SMC and the teachers are determined to change this narrative, focusing on providing better resources and support to the students.
However, the school also faces a cultural challenge, as many children are drawn to business activities, particularly during market days from Monday to Friday. This reality underscores the importance of not only providing educational resources but also fostering a culture that values education as a pathway to long-term success.
The history of OZU Primary School is one of perseverance, community spirit, and continuous growth. The recent donation event is a powerful reminder that with collective effort, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome. As the school continues its journey, the hope is that more support will come its way, enabling it to provide quality education to the children of Arua, Ayibu constituency, and beyond.
