By Shibah Nakakande.
It’s mandatory to own a science Laboratory (Lab) in every secondary school , as a requirement to conduct all practical lessons in Biology , Chemistry and Physics .
Lubiri High School (LHS) Mengo Campus opened up a new standard science Laboratory on 12th July, 2024 able to accommodate a number of students during science practical lessons. The previous laboratory was too small for students to have lessons at once and they were studying in shifts .
The Katikiro of Buganda Kingdom Owek. Charles Peter Mayiga who was the chief guest at the function, advised students to take advantage of opportunities that come their way .
Students dressed in white Lab coats some having color mixtures in beakers and cans were excited to receive the Katikiro accompanied by the Head Teacher Lubiri High School Nampijja Immaculate .
” Back in time when people with different jobs got expertise in what they do such as carpentry , molding , building , they were brought closer to the Kabaka for more knowledge. In the palace was where people had training about leadership , humility and social discipline .” Katikiro Mayiga narrated to the students .
Before he came to the Upper school campus , the head teacher took him to tour around the lower campus to the Senior two urban farming projects . Students explained to the Katikiro about the benefits of maximizing small land to grow crops for income for instance tomatoes , cabbages
and other Vegetables .
Here he emphasized “ Mwanyi Terimba ”campaign run by the Buganda Kingdom for young people to work hard and prevent poverty. He encouraged them to get involve in coffee growing and production .
Bakabulindi Akram a student at Lubiri High School said that the need for such a laboratory in their school was a necessity since they didnt have some of the lab equipments and the students are many, each stream has their own lessons and as such could not fit in the old Lab.
“ We are expecting to have improvements in our lessons because in the previous laboratory we didn’t have cans , some equipment were not enough and they have put new equipment in the laboratory .”
Akram said.
According to the quality of education of science subjects report 2012 by Uganda National Council for Science and Technology , Laboratories, textbooks and other related infrastructures are important for adequate functional delivery of the science curriculum .
Out of 911 government schools , Only 455(50% ) had functional science laboratories which implies that students in 50% of government schools do sciences without access to laboratory facilities .
