School a sanctuary for children!!!

Nganda Isa – Headteacher at Bukoyo Muslim Primary School

Nganda Isa, who began his teaching career more than 30 years ago, was inspired by his own headteacher. “He would come into school always dressed sharply and with very nice shoes,” says Nganda. “He spoke with authority and walked with an air of confidence. He was the ultimate definition of success to us.”

Sowing the seeds for tomorrow

Nganda combines teaching with his passion for agriculture. “I am a farmer. I fell in love with agriculture when I was still in high school. I grow sugarcane, rice and maize.” He sees similarities between these two different areas of his life, remembering when a former student came to his rescue by chance and provided him with a place to stay on a rainy night after he’d missed the late night bus home. “It really warmed my heart and made me realise that the seeds we sow today may not produce the fruits while we watch, but they certainly will when they are needed most.”

Tackling challenges through talking

One of the biggest challenges Nganda faces is pupil attendance. “When children are experiencing difficulties at home that cause them to miss school, it saddens me because I know it’s only through education that they can overcome these challenges and be respectable people in the society.”

Education doesn’t just take place in the confines of a classroom. Each lunchtime, Nganda can be found sat under a tree in the school compound, engaging in all manner of conversations with his pupils. “It gives me so much pleasure how the children are so confident to come and share with me some light moments and share some personal challenges and we agree on how to action some of these.”


Yielding results

In the three years since Nganda joined Bukoyo Muslim School, enrolment has increased by 40% and Nganda believes he owes this to ensuring his pupils can prosper in a nurturing environment, as he explains: “A school should offer refuge for a child.”