PBC Advocacy Improves Learning at Amei Primary School

Amei Primary School in Paidha Sub-County, Zombo District, once faced significant hurdles that threatened the future of its young learners. With inadequate classrooms and desks, pupils were forced to study under trees or in cramped, temporary structures, making learning a daily struggle. But thanks to the tireless advocacy efforts of the PBCs, this challenging reality has given way to a brighter future

Amei Primary School in Paidha Sub-County, Zombo District, faced significant challenges that hindered learning. Despite these difficulties, construction of a two-classroom block, intended to provide shelter for Primary One and Two pupils, had stalled for years due to financial constraints. This left young learners exposed to harsh weather conditions, worsening their learning experience.

In October 2024, Participatory Budget Club (PBC) members visited the school as part of their monitoring activities. During their engagement with Head Teacher Mr. Unega Innocent, he shared the school’s struggles. The Community-Based Facilitator (CBF) leading the team advised the Head Teacher to publicly display the school budget to promote transparency and build trust with parents.

The PBCs then sprang into action, raising the school’s concerns at the sub-county budget conference. When the issue was discussed at the district budget conference, it was identified as a major service delivery gap. The Speaker urged the Education Department to provide desks if funds were insufficient for full classroom construction.

On January 10, 2025, the school held an Annual General Meeting (AGM) attended by PBC members. The CBF passionately advocated for parents to support the school by paying fees on time, contributing to development projects, and participating in a school feeding program. After a productive discussion, parents committed to supporting the school financially and through in-kind contributions.

The efforts paid off, and Amei Primary School witnessed significant improvements. These included:

• Resumption of classroom construction, with the two-classroom block progressing to the wall plate level.
• Provision of 10 new desks, each costing UGX 80,000, reducing the number of pupils sitting on the floor.
• Introduction of a school feeding program, ensuring learners had access to meals.
• Recruitment of four new teachers under the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), alleviating the staffing shortage.
• Purchase of 88 iron sheets for roofing the two-classroom block.

The impact of the PBCs’ advocacy efforts was evident, and the school’s leadership was quick to acknowledge their role in driving positive change. Reflecting on the progress made, Head Teacher Mr. Unega Innocent expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the PBCs’ contributions.

“I want to appreciate Stanley, your CBF,” Mr. Unega said. “When he stood up to talk to the parents, they listened to him, and that is why we were able to resume construction, buy 10 desks, iron sheets, and recruit 4 teachers under PTA. We shall continue working closely with him and his team, ensuring they are represented in every school meeting.”

The Head Teacher’s sentiments highlight the value of collaboration and community engagement in improving educational outcomes. Mr. Unega pledged to continuously involve the PBCs in school planning and decision-making processes, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their contributions are leveraged. This commitment to partnership was further reinforced by the planned inclusion of PBC representation in the upcoming School Management Committee (SMC) meeting on April 1, 2025. This ongoing collaboration will foster continued transparency and cooperation, driving further progress and improvements at Amei Primary School.

While challenges such as classroom shortages, limited desks, and teacher shortages persist, the transformation at Amei Primary School is a testament to the power of community involvement and budget advocacy in driving real change. With the progress made so far, the school is now poised for greater development, and with continued support, it’s likely that more milestones will be achieved to provide an even better learning environment for its pupils.

Amei Primary School’s transformation shows that community involvement and budget advocacy can bring about real change. Although challenges remain, the school is now on a path to greater development. With continued support, more progress will be made to improve learning for its pupils. This success proves that together, we can overcome obstacles and create a better future for young learners.