No student should have miserable results!!!

Margaret Mabangi – Headteacher at Canon Ibula Primary School

Margaret Mabangi never set out to be a teacher. She was working in an office when she was forced to leave to become the main caregiver for her sister. Margaret’s aunt, who was a principle at a teacher’s training college, visited on hearing the news of her sister. “My aunt took us took the training school and I had the opportunity to interact with tutors and training students,” Margaret explains. “They asked me about my education and what my dreams were. New doors started opening. One of the tutors took a keen interest in me and recommended I join the teaching profession.”

Learning together

Margaret has been applying the same encouragement to her pupils that she received since joining the teaching profession more than 25 years ago. “I always involve my pupils and talk to them. I never cease to remind them that they are in school to learn and that I am also learning with them. We make a pact to work together.”

Examining disparities

When Margaret started marking Primary Leaving exams, she was alarmed by the results. “I could not bear seeing pupils in year 7 unable to construct full sentences and barely write their names. How were they supposed to compete in life with the children from Kampala schools who were doing very well?”

Margaret has made it her mission to give her pupils the tools to fulfil their potential. “No student of mine will perform miserably. I am keen to ensure that all students move with me and I give extra support where it is required.”

It takes a community

Some of the challenges Margaret’s pupils face require a community response to keep their learning on track. “Many are the times I have had to seek the help of local leaders to go look for girls who have either been married off by their parents or those who run away from home to get married,” explains Margaret. “It takes more than a teacher’s advice to keep children in school, parents have to be heavily involved and dedicated.”

Margaret reinforces the need to work together within her school so that no child is left behind. “I advise teachers to increase time on a task and ensure that all children learn something. Learning and retention are my keywords for all teachers and pupils in school.”