The Rotary Club of Konge Lukuli has provided laboratory tools valued at Shs15 million to St John Baptist Secondary School in Ntungamo Municipality, Nile Post reported. This contribution is intended to strengthen science education and provide learners with practical resources that have been historically scarce. The institution in Ruhoko has faced facility shortages for years, forcing students to depend on screen-based demonstrations instead of conducting actual experiments.
Founded in 2016 with forty-seven pupils, the school has expanded its enrolment to two hundred and fifty-one students, significantly increasing the need for robust laboratory infrastructure. Nile Post noted that the lack of essential items, such as microscopes, compelled educators and pupils to use digital screens to observe scientific procedures. Headteacher Godred Biriyo Musayansa acknowledged these difficulties, stating that the school frequently improvised due to insufficient laboratory resources. He emphasized the disconnect between national scientific progress and the school’s limited capacity to support practical learning.
Maureen Nyongyera, president of the Rotary Club, explained that the donation resulted from an assessment identifying specific gaps in the school’s facilities. She noted that the review revealed a critical reliance on screens for practical lessons, prompting the club to mobilize resources and procure necessary equipment. Nyongyera highlighted that the club was surprised by the students' ability to identify and operate the new scientific tools despite their previous limited exposure. The donation is intended to improve the overall learning environment and support science teaching at the institution.
Ntungamo Municipality Member of Parliament Gerald Karuhanga also commented on the significance of the donation, calling for increased investment in scientific research and innovation across Africa. He argued that African nations risk falling behind countries that prioritize technological development, citing a stark contrast in research funding between the United States and the entire African continent. Karuhanga commended the Rotary Club for its support, stating that the equipment would help students and teachers improve their knowledge and capacity in innovation. He stressed that investing in research is essential for developing homegrown solutions and competing in a technology-driven world.