Gilgal Primary School 2015/2016
​
Introduction
At present 530 children attend Gilgal Primary School taught by 21 teachers and supported by 12 non-teaching staff. The children are either full orphans, have only one parent or come from very poor families. School attendance is obligatory in Uganda but has to be paid for, which is impossible for families with no or a very small income.
Our society pays all the costs, including uniforms, food, teachers’ salaries and medical support. Our committee members work on a voluntary basis without expenses or salary. It is our conviction that every child has the right to free education.
The school has developed well academically and achieves very good results in national examinations.
​
Projects 2015/2016
As a society we decide on specific projects to be realised within a certain limited time. No project can be carried out without the full sum being available. Our society works without debts or credits.
​
1. Painting all classrooms
Classrooms must be kept light, airy and hygenic so that the children can work well.
​
2. New school uniforms
Uniforms are often the only decent clothing the students have. They wear them daily, when taking national exams and visiting other schools for competitions. A uniform has the advantage of showing all children to be the same.
​
3. Fertiliser for the farmland
We fertilise the land with coffee husks. They rot slowly and provide the land with the necessary minerals. When our own coffee beans are ripe we will be able to reduce the amount of coffee husks we have to buy.
​
4. School garden, tools and seeds
Every school in Uganda must have a school garden of a certain size. In weekly lessons the students learn how to cultivate vegetables and fruits, and also to compost efficiently. The food produced supplies the school kitchen, enabling us to sell more of our farm produce on the market.
​
5. Sickbay, library and office
We need to build a multi-purpose building with adequate room for a sickbay, library and office. Children with contagioues illnesses and fever must be separated from their colleagues.
​
6. Metal doors for the toilets
We need metal doors for the toilets to replace the old wooden doors which have suffered greatly from the heavy rains.
​
7. Secondary and vocational schools
Our aim is to increase the number of our students we can send on to secondary school. Each boy or girl has to be financed for four years. Our greatest wish is to continue this program and enable talented pupils to continue to Vocational school.
​
8. Teachers’ courtyard and living quarters
18 months ago we were able to build living quarterst for the married teachers. They are grateful for the accomodation but the earthen court yard is very muddy during the rainy season. We must gravel it and make a firm surface so that the rooms around can be kept clean.
9. Last but not least
In addition to our monthly running costs of 6700 Swiss francs we have to buy books and stationary twice a year. No school without books.
We thank you for your support and interest in our school.
​
Peter and Maureen Schnyder