Bridging the Gap . . . A Plan
How do you regain an entire year of learning lost to closed schools with no capability for long-distance or virtual learning? It’s a challenge! The Ugandan government has put in place a three-year educational plan that will ultimately get students back into a regular school schedule by 2024. This plan utilizes shorter terms, fewer holidays and use of normal exam time for intensified studies.
The new education schedule looks like this:
| School Year | First Term | Second Term | Third Term |
| 2021: Terms of 12 Weeks | August 9, 2021 to October 29, 2021 | November 15, 2021 to February 4, 2022 | February 22, 2022 to May 2, 2022 |
| 2022: Terms of 12 weeks | May 16, 2022 to August 5, 2022 | September 22, 2022 to November 16, 2022 | January 7, 2023 to March 24, 2023 |
| 2023: Shortened Third Term | April 10, 2023 to June 30, 2023 | July 17, 2023 to October 6, 2023 | November 23, 2023 to December 2, 2023 |
What does this mean for JPSS students and teachers?
The reopening of the school after that long uncertainty and turmoil greatly affected the minds of JPSS students and teachers, who had been forced into inactivity. As School Administrator Fr. John Chrysostom put it . . . “With much relief, we once again had a chance to see a sun rise after many months of very dark and terrifying nights. Thanks be to God!”
Certainly, the coming months will be a challenge. But JPSS has a sound foundation and great attributes that will ensure the school will meet the task . . .
Astute Administration
Both Fr. John and Moses were astute enough to begin planning for such a likelihood. According to Headmaster Moses Bwayo: “We had to revise our time table in order to create extra hours for classes. We also determined that mentorship and counselling were tools we could deploy. Finally, we decided to group students into ‘academic families’ of ten, under the supervision of teachers for weekend evaluations, reviews and revisions.“
Dedicated, Accredited Faculty
While the school itself was closed, many of the teachers remained at the school working on improving curriculum. JPSS prides itself on its degreed, professional faculty that cares about each student’s ability to advance and reach his or her potential. Teachers are rising to the occasion . . .
“I am focused on facilitating wholistic learning . . . a competency approach where students learn how to do things in a creative way rather than just memorizing what was learned,” stated, Mr. Ivan Wandera, Chemistry Teacher. Added Mr. John Maramba, Entrepreneurship Teacher, “I’m deploying a multi-pronged approach that involves career guidance, mentoring and counselling to improve each student’s personal outlook toward his or her future.”
Ambitious, Determined Students
These young students recognize the incredible opportunity they are being given. They sorely missed being at the school, came back motivated to learn, to keep their place in school and to advance to the next level. Their goal is a highly valued university education. Listen . . .
S-4 Student
“I cherish my education so much and when the school was closed, I was heartbroken. When it reopened, I got even more serious through use of the library and computer to prepare myself for the final exam. I believe I will excel and go to Advanced level.
S-1 Hungerford Scholar
“My education is my life and now that I’m back in class I have to do all I can to achieve my dream.”
S-6 Hungerford Scholar
“I have actively participated in Entrepreneurship, learning computer skills, as well as making liquid soap and candles and learning about agriculture and growing vegetables. JPSS has opened my world and I would like to pursue Industrial Art at University.”
