Victor,
I fully concur with your observation. I think the calamities in our primary and
secondary schools are very alarming. For the issue of the University to take
precedence over improving the situation in our primary and secondary schools in
my view is not strategic. More so especially in view of the fact that the first
committee set by this forum was to specifically assigned the task to look into
why the performances in our schools are pathetic. If the committee has done its
work and provided results, I think this issue should take precedence over the
Public University issue. I guess the University issue has become a hot cake
because of the mention of available money given by the President.
Infact I would argue that those moneys which are said to be available for the
start of the Public University should be diverted to addressing the failures in
our primary and secondary schools.
I know there were submissions from brothers, Benard Benton Obaa, Gilbert A'dibo
and Moses Droma where each of them argued that establishment of a Public
University in West Nile was important because it would admit our children as
opposed to our children joining many of the Universities that now exist in
Uganda.
This kind of argument for a Public University simply means we want to limit the
potential for our children to compete with children in other areas as it used
to be in the 60's, 70's and early 80's. From the data available about the
performance of our schools in general, it has not been encouraging for the last
20 years or more, though a few very bright kids have managed to push their way
through.
I would like to know from these people how many students last year from West
Nile were able to be admitted in Public universities for courses like
Engineering, Medicine, Law etc, as it was in the 70's. The issue here is to
improve conditions in our primary and secondary schools for them to be
competitive for admission into any University, A levels or Ordinary Level
studies in Uganda as it used to be in the 60's and 70's. Most of our primary
and secondary school kids do not meet the grades to join some of the top
schools as it was before. Ombaci, Mvara, Koboko, Nyapea used to attract
students from all over the country which is not possible these days. We need to
get these schools back to that glory.
So to Benton I would say that when our kids in primary and secondary schools
are able to be competitive and pass with good grades, no University will ever
reject them because Universities too are looking for scholars with high
academic calibre. What is the use of establishing a university where all kid
that will be admitted will be the ones rejected by other Universities because
of poor academic performance? What pride will there be in an institution that
admits failing students if the conditions in our primary and secondary schools
are not improved?. Mind you a good primary and secondary education is the
backbone of a good University student. We have to start rebuilding those
structures first before we think of a University education.
For Gilbert, I would say that as long as your children perform well in primary
and secondary schools you will not wait for them to get into any University.
They will join any University of their liking because of their stellar
performance. Indeed if you are able to mobilize those fund from Dubai where you
are as you cautioned, that will be very helpful. All I will request is please
let us start using tat money to improve the academic excellence of our kids in
primary and secondary schools, and then we shall think of the University when
we have too many children who have passed very well from our schools and yet
they are not admitted in any University. Here there will be a compelling reason
for a University. Moreover if Universities like Nile are supported, we would
not even have any issue of demanding for a Public University. Did Makerere
University not begin as a religious institution when it first started? You guys
who know the history of Makerere can help me if the argument for not supporting
Nile University is because it was being pushed mainly by Catholics.
As for Moses, your submission of Arua Airfield almost becoming obsolete because
more people are now using the road to go to Arua, gives me the impression that
all you know about Airports is that they are only transit places for
passengers. While people use them while travelling, airports make a lot of
money transacting goods and services. Air ports probably have more economic
value when moving goods as opposed to people. Can you imagine how much people
in Arua would benefit economically when all international goods to Eastern
Congo are moved through Arua International Airport? If all the international
community goods that are being sent to either Congo or Sudan were to transit
through Arua, the economic benefit would be tremendous for the people in West
Nile.
The same applies to power and the Fibre optics that I talked about. Indeed if
we had access to stable power and cheap internet resources, our primary and
secondary schools would probably not be in the situation they are in today.
There is so much educational material they would be able to access from the
internet that research and other learning resources would be easily accessible.
This is the 21st century and we should not think like we are still in the 19th
century. Some of our hospitals would be able to do tele-medicine where Doctors
in a West Nile can collaborate with other doctors internationally while doing
surgery through the internet. These are just some of the few advantages of why
I think infrastructure development as a first priority in West Nile will have
tremendous economic benefit for our people. Mind you, we have to get away from
the mind set that we have to always struggle to live. We need to begin to think
that we should be able to live an easy and comfortable life, not struggle all
the time when not necessary. Basic economic development requires basic
structural development in infrastructure, and since our fore fathers did not
leave us a template to operate on, we should be able to think of what kind West
Nile we would like to leave for our future generation.
Do we want our future generation to suffer the same fate we are suffering?
This is where I will disagree with the saying that, "A mango seed falls under a
Mango tree". We should not let our future generation suffer like we are doing
now, so we need to do things that will let them not experience the problems we
are experiencing now!!
Thank you
Vasco Oguzua
> From: [email protected]
> Subject: WestNileNet Digest, Vol 18, Issue 23
> To: [email protected]
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 22:28:15 +0300
>
> Send WestNileNet mailing list submissions to
> [email protected]
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> [email protected]
>
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>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of WestNileNet digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Opportunity (Caroline Badaru)
> 2. Adhoc Committee to fast track the establishment of the
> University of West Nile (Caleb Alaka)
> 3. National Director of Plantations (Drichi Paul) (Caleb Alaka)
> 4. The Anxiety for Public University in WestNile. (jadribo victor)
> 5. Arrest of Injiku Paul, Toko and Abidrabo Owen (Caleb Alaka)
> 6. Re: Arrest of Injiku Paul, Toko and Abidrabo Owen (Ezama Ruffino)
> 7. Re: The Anxiety for Public University in WestNile. (David Olema)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 15:39:27 +0300
> From: Caroline Badaru <[email protected]>
> Subject: [WestNileNet] Opportunity
> To: A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]>
> Message-ID:
> <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Dear all,
>
> EASUN (Centre for professional learning) is opening its internship
> programme(FACILITATING ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ) for young women leaders
> in East Africa between 25& 35 of age, Intake is for march 2010 and the
> training is for 2years, applicants must atleast have a bachelors degree.
>
> application by email should be sent to EASUN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR asap email:
> [email protected] followed by a hard copy posted to box 6120 Arusha
> Tanzania
>
> Deadline for emails application is 18th february 2010
>
> other requirements: 2referees who should send their sealed recommendation
> directly to the Excutive Director
>
> for more information visit webpage www.easun-tz.org or inquire through
> [email protected]
>
> source is The citizen monday, 8th february 2010
>
> try your luck and let others know
>
> Carol
> +255 716 221881
> +256 782 446408
> +255 786 221881
>
>
> the world is spinning in a high rate: adapt to what you got around you!
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:08:42 -0800 (PST)
> From: Caleb Alaka <[email protected]>
> Subject: [WestNileNet] Adhoc Committee to fast track the establishment
> of the University of West Nile
> To: A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]>
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> As earlier indicated, the Executive of West Nile Foundation did discuss the
> issue of establishing an adhoc Committee to help fast track the process being
> handled by Prof. Christine's National Task Force for the establishment of the
> Public University in West Nile. This Committee would liaise with the National
> Committee and assist it in several ways. For instance the issue of meeting
> the Professor, Organizing the Workshop and other issues. The Committee would
> draw its terms of reference after meeting with the Professor and Hon. Jachan
> Omach. The Membership of the Committee will be as follows.
> 1.Eng. Okuni Patrick (Chairperson) He is the 2nd Vice President and the Chair
> of the Committee on Education as per the approved strategic plan of the
> Foundation which you will be asked to look into soon.
> 2. Dr. Ayikoru Joyce (Vice Chairperson)
> 3. Dra-ecabo Charles Secretary
> 4. Asaph Adebua
> 5.Olema David
> 6. Anguma Simon
> 7. Munduru Christine
> 8. Dr. Kajobe Robert
> 9. Dr. Zachary Lomo
> 10.Dr. Pamela Obetia
> 11. Ngaka Willy
> 12 Caleb Alaka
> 13 Dr. Alidru Gabriel (Technical Advisor)
> Members, lets be optimistic. The University of West Nile is not a personal
> affair for any one. It is a matter which will affect those alive and the
> unborn.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:15:40 -0800 (PST)
> From: Caleb Alaka <[email protected]>
> Subject: [WestNileNet] National Director of Plantations (Drichi Paul)
> To: A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]>
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> You remember our own brother from Moyo who was maliciously arrested for
> purportedly bribing an auditor and charged and in-prisoned in Luzira Prisons.
> We managed to secure bail for him and with your prayers those persecuting him
> will be embarrassed. The High Court in Kampala today released him on bail.
> Thanks for your prayers
>
>
>
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:17:44 -0800 (PST)
> From: jadribo victor <[email protected]>
> Subject: [WestNileNet] The Anxiety for Public University in WestNile.
> To: [email protected]
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I have read keenly some postings on our Net and I have been following
> curiously the issue of the Public University in West Nile, I had a personal
> Interaction with Bayo Paul from Gulu University who was in Arua propagating
> the Good News of the University on how to arrange a radio talkshow, I also
> tabled it one day for discussion in the then WestNile Peoples' Parliament
> "Agbatara" for both publicity and getting the views of the Masses.
> But the Education calamity befalling us in West Nile has diverted my good
> thoughts about the University. I have asked myself; since it is a Public
> University, how many sons and daughters of the reagion will be admitted due
> to the seemingly persistent poor performance. I think we should concentrate
> more on addressing this eminent calamity before dreaming of a white Elephant
> which will be in our region but not for us.
> I was talking to Fr. Rufino in the States about the poor performance and he
> incinuated that to talk about the poor performance in our region better, we
> should start from the premises that "No Westniler is dull" and then we shall
> be able to arrive at a solution. In the same spirit, am requesting the West
> Nile Foundation to seriously start both an Investigation and a Research in to
> this problem so that we shall be worthy for the Public University in our
> Region.
>
>
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 07:24:00 -0800 (PST)
> From: Caleb Alaka <[email protected]>
> Subject: [WestNileNet] Arrest of Injiku Paul, Toko and Abidrabo Owen
> To: A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]>
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> On a rather sad note, the IGG arrested and charged Injiku Paul (Former Town
> Clerk Arua Municipal) Owen Abidrabo (the Municipal treasurer) and Toko, a
> secretary to works in Arua Municipal Council. They were charged with abuse of
> office and causing financial prayers. They need our prayers
>
>
>
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 11:27:39 -0500
> From: Ezama Ruffino <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: [WestNileNet] Arrest of Injiku Paul, Toko and Abidrabo
> Owen
> To: A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]>
> Message-ID:
> <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Caleb
> assure them of my prayers. it must be a tough time for them.
>
> R
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 19:28:01 +0000 (GMT)
> From: David Olema <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: [WestNileNet] The Anxiety for Public University in
> WestNile.
> To: [email protected], A Virtual Network for friends of West
> Nile <[email protected]>
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> My Dear Brother, do not be worried about having a public University there
> before we sort out the educational "calamity". We are working on that too.
> Learn more from the task force about what is being done about the situation.
> Am not giving you false hope, something is being done and these results you
> see here will not last long.
> West Nile will change and shine again. Do not lose heart!
>
> --- On Tue, 9/2/10, jadribo victor <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> From: jadribo victor <[email protected]>
> Subject: [WestNileNet] The Anxiety for Public University in WestNile.
> To: [email protected]
> Date: Tuesday, 9 February, 2010, 18:17
>
> I have read keenly some postings on our Net and I have been following
> curiously the issue of the Public University in West Nile, I had a personal
> Interaction with Bayo Paul from Gulu University who was in Arua propagating
> the Good News of the University on how to arrange a radio talkshow, I also
> tabled it one day for discussion in the then WestNile Peoples' Parliament
> "Agbatara" for both publicity and getting the views of the Masses.
> But the Education calamity befalling us in West Nile has diverted my good
> thoughts about the University. I have asked myself; since it is a Public
> University, how many sons and daughters of the reagion will be admitted due
> to the seemingly persistent poor performance. I think we should concentrate
> more on addressing this eminent calamity before dreaming of a white Elephant
> which will be in our region but not for us.
> I was talking to Fr. Rufino in the States about the poor performance and he
> incinuated that to talk about the poor performance in our region better, we
> should start from the premises that "No Westniler is dull" and then we shall
> be able to arrive at a solution. In the same spirit, am requesting the West
> Nile Foundation to seriously start both an Investigation and a Research in to
> this problem so that we shall be worthy for the Public University in our
> Region.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
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> End of WestNileNet Digest, Vol 18, Issue 23
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