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JPSS Delivers Phenomenal 2025 UCE Results — A Breakthrough Year
We are so excited to share this news: the 2025 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results are out, and John Paul Secondary School has once again exceeded all expectations! For a fourth year in a row, JPSS is the #1 school in the Pallisa District! A celebration parade was organized through the town of Pallisa – see our students, teachers and parents celebrating this success below. And, these are results put JPSS on par with much larger, urban schools. In fact, JPSS is now in the top 8% of secondary schools in the nation! Uganda’s grading system now uses a letter-based system, similar to the U.S. But in the U.S.,…
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Beating the Odds: The JPSS Difference
A recent article in the Ugandan Sunday Monitor gives Uganda’s education system an “F” grade, citing the most serious failures at the pre-primary and primary school levels, where children’s learning foundations are formed. Uganda currently spends 2.7% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on education. By comparison, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recommends that countries spend 4 – 6% of GDP on education; the U.S. spends 5.5 – 5.8% GDP. The World Bank measures a country’s education and health outcomes using the Human Capital Index (HCI). This index estimates how productive a child born today is likely to be as an adult, on a scale from 0 to 1,…
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Musibikha Winnie: A Hungerford Success Story
In her primary school leaving exams, local Musibikha Winnie earned the lowest possible passing score to continue into secondary school, placing her at the very bottom of Division 3. Recognizing her determination and potential, her primary school headteacher personally recommended her to Headteacher Bwayo Moses for the Hungerford Scholarship so she could benefit from its supportive boarding program. Living on campus gave Winnie the stability to focus fully on her education, surrounded by the comradery of fellow boarding students who encouraged and motivated one another. She gained access to structured routines, before- and after-class tutoring, and mentorship from older Hungerford scholars. Holiday programs held between school terms ensured continuous learning…
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A 20-Year Journey of Hope: JPSS Featured in Detroit Catholic
We’re excited to share a wonderful article published in Detroit Catholic highlighting the 20-year journey of John Paul Secondary School – a journey you have been an important part of. Read it here:https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/20-years-later-local-couple-reflects-on-success-of-ugandan-school-they-founded The article highlights the school’s growth from its modest beginnings to a vibrant, high-performing campus that is transforming young lives in Chelekura. It captures the spirit of the students, the dedication of the teachers and local community, and the remarkable momentum that continues to build year after year…. Most of all, it reminded us how grateful we are for everyone who has walked alongside us. The successes highlighted in the article belong to all of us and…
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Construction Update – 2024/2025 Master Plan
We want to thank all of our generous donors for making these construction projects a reality. The new primary school is ready and waiting for the young students to utilize the classrooms at the beginning of next school year. The new boys and girls’ A-level dorms have dramatically reduced the overcrowding in our O-level dorms. And the soccer field grass is coming in nicely. The team buildings including dressing rooms, washrooms and toilets along with the restroom building installed for spectators are ready and waiting for the first game once the grass has fully come in and cured. Dorms Primary School Soccer Field and Team Buildings This multi-building project was…
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FOJPS—Sustaining Angels
Have you ever wondered, “What is a FOJPS Sustaining Angel?” or “Why would I want to become a FOJPS Sustaining Angel?” Let me answer those questions for you. What is a FOJPS Sustaining Angel? A FOJPS Sustaining Angel is an exceptional individual who provides ongoing financial support to a cause or project at John Paul Secondary School in Uganda on a regular monthly basis. Why become a FOJPS Sustaining Angel? There are many appealing reasons to consider: Being a FOJPS Sustaining Angel is about investing financially and emotionally in a cause that aligns with your values. Your monthly donations empower us to embrace the unexpected, allowing us to tackle unforeseen…
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JPSS in the National News!!
We are so very excited to announce that John Paul Secondary School was featured in the Education section of the Daily Monitor, one of the two national newspapers in Uganda! Please read the article entitled “John Paul SS brings hope to Pallisa’s fishing communities” below. None of this would be possible without you, our amazing supporters. Thank you so very much!!
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JPSS University Scholarship Update
The first year of our University Scholarship program has come to a successful close with the completion of classes and finals by our first 4 beneficiaries. We’re happy to report that Bruno, Silver, Meridah and Joshua all performed well in academics and with the help of our mentor Sharon, made a smooth transition into University life. Outside of classes, they’ve participated in groups and church activities including sports, church choir, church sacristan, Bamasaba (tribe) association, and the debate club. Mentor Khabuya Sharon visits the students while they are at campus. The scholars and their parents/guardians are meeting at JPSS before the beginning of the next semester to share experiences and…
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Meet Our Team – Bwayo Moses
Please click on the video below to meet and learn more about our JPSS Headteacher, Bwayo Moses:
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Ten Years Later . . .
This June marks 10 years since my family first visited JPSS. Looking back now, it’s amazing how far we have come, and the changes we’ve seen in our recent visits to Uganda in 2023 and 2024. The whole Comerford family went on this adventure – Liz and I along with our two teenage boys – Sam (then 14) and Nate (then 13). After two long flights and 20 hours of travel, we were picked up at the Entebbe airport by Denis, the Berrigan’s friend and long-time driver for every trip to Uganda over the years. After a day of recovery at a lovely hotel on the shores of nearby Lake…
