By Christopher Nyeko
GULU: The government has commenced construction of a modern dormitory at Mary Immaculate Girls’ Primary School at a cost of 200 million shillings.
The school is located in St. Joe cell, For God ward, Bardege Layibi division, Gulu City. The construction commenced on March 28, 2023, with a ground-breaking ceremony.
Bardege-Layibi Division, through the Discretionary Development Equalization Grant, has allocated 80 million shillings to implement the first phase of the construction.
In 2022, the Gulu City contract committee hired Regent Technical Services Limited to implement the first phase of the project, which will cost 80 million shillings and is expected to be completed in June this year.
Mary Immaculate Girls Primary School was built in 1934 by Comboni Missionary as a school to help in the formation of young girls who would later intern at Sacred Hearth Girls Secondary School in preparation for sisterhood.
Rev. Sr. Josephine Angee, the school head teacher, welcomed the project, saying it came at a right time when the school is battling with challenges of inadequate space since their dilapidated dormitory was built in the 1950s.
She disclosed that the school has a total enrollment of 533 but can accommodate only 120 girls.
Rev. Sr. Angee is optimistic that the project is going to improve girl-child education in the region and anticipates an increase in enrolment.
The Gulu City Education Officer, Mr. Irwenyo Richard, appreciated the management of the Mary Immaculate Girls’ School for prioritizing and promoting girl child education in Uganda and for being an academic giant in the 2022 primary school leaving examination results.
Mr. Irwenyo however advised the contractor to ensure that the facility is user-friendly, inclusive for people (including children) with disabilities, and environmentally conscious.
Oola Patrick Lumumba, Mayor Bardege-Layib Division, warned the contractor to desist from corruption tendencies during implementation of the project and asked the school management committee to consistently monitor the project.
John Baptist Ola pa Aryemo, a member of the school management committee, pledged constant monitoring of the project to ensure that shoddy work is avoided.
Gilbert Okwir, RCC of Bardege-Layibi Division, said they are ready to arrest any person who is sabotaging the government program.
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