By Dailystarug.com
The Uganda Police Force is working to streamline formal education to improve the educational opportunities for the children and dependents of its officers. According to SSP Nakityo Jane, the head of the Formal Education Department, efforts are underway to establish a school and a vocational institute at the regional level to achieve this goal.
Currently, the police operate 19 schools, of which 10 are government-aided and 9 are privately owned. The department is also working on establishing a comprehensive database of dependents to support proper planning and resource development, both human and non-human, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports and other stakeholders.
She called on officers to support this initiative by applying for teaching positions and enrolling their children and dependents in these schools. SSP Nakityo also encouraged women officers to embrace training opportunities, stating that this is crucial for their career growth.
These plans were outlined during a sensitization and needs assessment tour in the Kiira, Bukedi South, and Elgon regions.
A shining example of the impact of these efforts is the Mbale Police Wanyela Primary School. With 1,618 pupils, 85% of whom are children of police officers, the school has become a beacon of educational excellence in the region.
In the 2023 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), 109 pupils from the school sat for the exams, with 30 earning Division One and 71 securing Division Two. This impressive performance has solidified the school’s reputation as one of the top government schools in the Mbale Sub-region, according to the headmistress, Ms. Betty Nabugobero.
The Police Force also owns one school each in the Elgon, Kiira, Mt. Moroto, Greater Masaka, Rwizi, Albertine, Aswa West, Kidepo, Kyoga and Bukedi regions while Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) South three while KMP West has four, contributing significantly to the educational advancement of officers’ families.
The Uganda Police Force is committed to enhancing education for its officers’ dependents which marks as a significant step towards empowering the next generation and ensuring a brighter future for police families across the country.