St. John Paul II Ntungamo High School
Total number of students: 1917
Nestled in the scenic hills of Ntugamo District, St. John Paul Ntugamo High School, or "Ntugamo High School," has called this stunning location home since its establishment in the early 2000s. The school's proximity to the Ntugamo District headquarters office (about 200 meters) and the Mbarara-Ntugamo-Kabala highway (approximately 500 meters) adds to its convenience and accessibility.
The Father Bash Foundation, driven by its commitment to education, had the opportunity to acquire the school. Father John Baptist Bashobora seized this chance, initially negotiating installment payments with the owners, but eventually transitioning it into a full Father Bash Foundation school. This acquisition came with room for expansion in the surrounding area, and over the past 19 years, the school has grown, acquiring adjacent land for additional facilities, sports fields, and farmland that contributes to a balanced student diet.
The school's transformation has been remarkable. It has evolved from a dilapidated institution lacking basic resources like blackboards, furniture, trained teachers, and a proper kitchen into the region's top school. New classroom blocks with blackboards and well-made furniture, spacious dormitories with double-decker beds, and rainwater harvesting for clean water supply have greatly improved the school's infrastructure and services.
Challenges remain:
1. Sanitation facilities, including lavatories and bathrooms, are inadequate, small, and poorly drained, posing a health risk.
2. The kitchen's location in the midst of main buildings presents fire and pollution hazards, especially as it relies on firewood as the primary energy source.
3. Proper fencing with spikes is needed to deter theft and enhance student safety, especially during holidays when school property and supplies are at risk.
The Father Bash Foundation, driven by its commitment to education, had the opportunity to acquire the school. Father John Baptist Bashobora seized this chance, initially negotiating installment payments with the owners, but eventually transitioning it into a full Father Bash Foundation school. This acquisition came with room for expansion in the surrounding area, and over the past 19 years, the school has grown, acquiring adjacent land for additional facilities, sports fields, and farmland that contributes to a balanced student diet.
The school's transformation has been remarkable. It has evolved from a dilapidated institution lacking basic resources like blackboards, furniture, trained teachers, and a proper kitchen into the region's top school. New classroom blocks with blackboards and well-made furniture, spacious dormitories with double-decker beds, and rainwater harvesting for clean water supply have greatly improved the school's infrastructure and services.
Challenges remain:
1. Sanitation facilities, including lavatories and bathrooms, are inadequate, small, and poorly drained, posing a health risk.
2. The kitchen's location in the midst of main buildings presents fire and pollution hazards, especially as it relies on firewood as the primary energy source.
3. Proper fencing with spikes is needed to deter theft and enhance student safety, especially during holidays when school property and supplies are at risk.