By Wilber Muhwezi Kasibante
www.mknewslink.com
In Bushenyi/Iganga—
Parental Care Nursery and Primary School Bushenyi has won yet another trophy in the National Music Dance and Drama competitions.
The champions were awarded in a joyful ceremony at Bishop Willis Core Primary Teachers’ College in Iganga.
Referred to as the youngest choir throughout the competitions, pupils staged a vibrant performance in Music Dance and Drama (MDD) something that made them to stand out of the crowd. Their performance resonated well with the saying that; if you’re wise enough, you’re old enough.
The performance captivated the audience with energy, rhythm and powerful storytelling. It stood out as one of the moving acts at the event, earning them title of MDD.
As they stepped on stage to together with their Director and Head teacher to receive their trophy, the excitement and pride on their faces said it all.
A full week event that was hosted at Bishop Willis Core Primary Teachers’ College in Iganga ran under the theme; “A safe learning environment for social transformation”.
Unlike previously, this year’s competition attracted many and powerful sponsors that included Tooke, UN, Spotlight Initiative, World Vision, Airtel and Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU) a gesture that many actors continue to realize the importance of drama and talent development in the growth of a child.
The Chief Guest who also doubles as the Managing Director-PIBID, Rev. Dr. Florence Isabirye Muranga appreciated the efforts from schools, parents and pupils towards extracurricular activities highlighting that class work alone is not enough for a child’s growth.
Ms. Florence stressed that the theme is timely since a safe learning environment is not limited to classrooms.
“Such platforms make it holistic for learners to excel, express themselves freely, ask questions, innovate and confidently sail through different environments,” She said.
“It’s through such platforms that young people get to discover their culture, understand their environment, make it transformative and the drama, poems and songs they play and sing never get off their minds”. She remarked.
Ms. Florence said that Tooke believes in 3Ps of People, Profit and Planet where they focus on prioritizing people, maximizing profits and aiming at saving mother planet. She stressed that Tooke will make a viable contribution towards MDD for the next three years.
In her final remarks, she called for combined efforts in fighting malnutrition stating that a malnourished mother can never give birth to a healthy child.
She finally appreciated all the efforts that have seen the growth of Tooke since inception to date saying that she has signed Memorandum of Understanding with Kivu Province in the DRC to supply them with instant Tooke flour something that willing create market, awareness hence increased demand for Tooke products.
The Ministry of Education and Sports was represented by Mr. Robert Nikwapu the Assistant Commissioner for Primary Education.
Mr. Nikwapu appreciated the journey that led to the event’s success.
He appreciated the hosts for being very receptive.
He highlighted that the Ministry knows the importance and power of MDD and noted the improvements made every year as it can be witnessed through the number of partners on board. He requested for the continued partnership with Tooke noting that the push will realize much more hidden abilities.
Mr. Nikwapu cautioned the adjudicators with a habit of tilting the scores for their own benefits saying that this deprives the sponsors, the participants and gives wrong belief to the beneficiaries.
He finally asked the organizers to always prioritize the welfare of learners especially on the last asking them to always end the functions early to enable early travels.
The championship attracted 115 schools with total of 17763 participants from the different regional cluster like Omukuri (Greater Bushenyi Districts), Orucence (Greater Mbarara, Ntungamo and Rwampara), Nankasa Region, Adungu Region, Nanga Region, Nalunfuka Region, Luwengere Region among others.
The first twenty best performers and the best three schools were recognized and sponsored a fully paid trip to the Tooke factory.
Parental Care Bushenyi emerged winners after winning 7 of the 13 items with a commanding score of 96+.
Nakivubo Blue Primary School, Buganda Road, Oasis Primary School- Arua City, St. Julie Primary School -Kibaale, Clevers’ Origin, St. Theresa Namilyango, Namilyango Junior Boys, Mbarara Junior School and Tennessee Valley Primary School claimed the 2nd to the 10th position in that order.
This win comes as the second win for Parental Care Nursery and Primary School Bushenyi in a space of three days following the East African Debate Championship victory at King David Academy in Kigali Rwanda.