Dear Ma,
It is a pleasure, securing a few minutes off my hectic schedule to write to you, Mama Janet. Hope you’re aware that tuli mu struggle etuwuuba. I humbly request that you get some time off motherhood and ministerial duties to read my letter. I hear ministers are very busy people! My friends hope that I become one after the struggle
I believe you know, that yours truly is a very humble son; totally different from Aunt Stella, and others alleging that you graduated without school practice. Hmmm… Some people must be mean and covetous! So, what did they expect you to do other than excelling?
If I were you, nze seekuba njawulo, I’d willingly pour the verities of my jumbled academic journey oba bafa bafe!” But don’t worry, Mwambutsya Ndebesa and I embarked on a voluntary mission, to help others understand your qualifications; it is BACE not BAE. Wamma Maama, allow me belatedly congratulate you for all your academic achievements Hooray.
I’m writing to feed you in about the progress of the education sector. Did I tell you that I’m an educationist? I think not How foolish? Had I told you in the first paragraph, I’d have secured a juicy job in your ministry before this paragraph! Naye kale, let me console myself with the common saying, “better late”.
Mama, I bow to express gratitude for the free sanitary pads you promised the girl child. I don’t know why your mean secretaries and inspectors don’t tell you, how those pads have amazingly improved the life of girls in school. You’re indeed the greatest inspiration to the girl child.
Mama, last week, the media reported a story about a ‘mad man’, Paul Losia, a resident of Moroto. I’m so disappointed with the media! Their story lacked depth and left many unanswered questions. Why waste precious time on mad people?
The street beggar alleged that he was a Headteacher at Kasimeri Primary school in Moroto district, probably many years ago, I think prior to meeting your fortune. Clearly, this was a staged story. I’m not surprised that UNATU, URBA, Workers MPs and other labor unions never raised a finger!
The man lied that he has been pushing for his retirement benefits for the last fifteen years but in vain! This is impossible in your reign! You’ve established the best practices to address the plight of both the serving and retired teachers, in public and private schools.
The Ugandan teacher is living a very privileged life today! That’s why I’m a proud teacher! Mama, I request you to dispatch the SFC team that stormed parliament in 2017, to hunt for this clown as term egenda for Kisanja Hakuna Mchezo.
Mama, let me not waste time on the mad man, I have critical issues of national importance to address. Allow me thank you for your honorable decision to reopen education institutions amidst the peril of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ministry of health confirms numbers of new cases are rising each day. But do you know some people still believe Covid-19 is a hoax, more so the Ugandan version? Oba Ugandans be how! Aren’t they seeing the way people die in Tanzania? I’m very keen with my mask; but my sanitizer got finished.
You took a firm decision to reopen schools; I had read opinions by a number of educationists and other citizens strongly opposed to the decision. Did those guys have a view of who makes decisions in this country? Who told them citizens voices matter? Im lucky to have understood the concept of order from above. I thought you’d be cowed! Never!
Mama, the finalists and candidates are pushing on well. Everything is moving as planned. The Inspectorate of schools effectively inspected and cleared only schools with the required standards, to protect learners and teachers from Covid-19. The schools are effectively implementing the SOPs: hand washing facilities, sanitizers, face masks and social distance highly enforced. Learners and teachers not using public transport.
Schools allowed only candidates, the rest are happily home. They are enjoying electronic lessons on TV and radio. Thank you so much for the free gadgets you gave us. The learners appreciate your decision to have all of them automatically promoted next year.
A senior five student confided in me about the sweetness of studying HSC for one year. This learner is however yet to learn that the Jacobins executed Robespierre by guillotine! I wonder why some educationists wanted you to declare a dead year!
There is a way God blessed the schools; in one of my previous articles, I had requested government to bail out the schools; I thought they had no money. However, I’m very surprised that even without capitation grants from government, schools are running efficiently. They don’t need any help.
I think they make a lot of money and had plenty on their accounts. Can you imagine, like you ordered, schools never increased school fees! The parents are very happy and love you so much. You saved them from greedy directors and head teachers.
I have remembered something very important. The candidates are supposed to register for UNEB within one month. Some parents are lazy. I eavesdropped a conversation last week, Mr. Kitubu, Mr. Kityo, Mr. Tusiime and other lazy men I didn’t recognize really annoyed me.
They’re proposing that the same way government pays UNEB registration fees for learners in UPE and USE, it should this time round also pay for those in private schools because they have no money. Some said they lost jobs and their children risk not being registered. Mama, do you think those drunkards deserve your attention?
University finalists are extremely happy. All finalists are now at campus; to wrap up their academic journey. They are happy that you directed universities not to consider eLearning conducted during the lockdown. All universities have given a chance to those that had no access to eLearning classes.
All universities will administer exams late November or early December. The Universities also gave learners very lenient tuition payment terms and have not charged those that didnt pay on time. None is likely to miss due to tuition constraints.
Mama, I have a lot of issues to tell you, but my biro seems out of ink. I’ll tell you more when we meet. However, I can’t fail to inform you that all teachers are happy. They’re now back at work and their salary arrears were fully paid, and some schools have already paid the October salaries. Isn’t that interesting? Thank you for streamlining teachers’ working conditions.
I wish my inkpot still had some, I’d tell you about the thousands of your granddaughters that have conceived during the lockdown; and what educationists are saying about the academic calendar. That will be subject for another day.
I have nothing to offer but my heart; those that selflessly serve deserve to be appreciated. Thank you Mama Janet for the good work you’re doing for this country. Thank you for the robust Covid-19 response plan and thank you for systematically and effectively planning the reopening of schools. Thank you for promising free sanitary pads for the girl child. Until we meet.
Dear reader, please pass on my letter to Mama, I have no access to her.
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