The Karen Nursery and Primary School is a community Jewish school located in the Nakagyo Trading Center, Buyengo Town Council, Jinja District, Uganda. We present our official operations, welfare, and academic progress report for the first term of the 2024 school year.
The academic term commenced on February 2, 2024, with teachers Jalia, Nandala, and Gyofry. We welcomed Headmaster Joseph on February 12, 2024, who has assumed direct leadership of the teaching staff. Additional educators joined the school two weeks later to support our growing student body.
Academic Board & Governance
On March 16, 2024, our board of directors—including Kasakya, Jacob, Mugema, and myself (Loko Avaran)—held an academic progress meeting. We established structural guidelines to align our curriculum with national standards while preserving our Jewish heritage, ensuring the school remains a positive anchor for the Nakagyo community.
Enrollment Roster Details
Our school roster has expanded to exactly 107 active students:
- Nursery (Middle & Top): 41 children (11 Jewish, 9 orphans, 21 with parents; 21 girls, 20 boys).
- Primary One (P1): 12 children (3 Jewish, 9 orphans, 1 with parent; 5 girls, 7 boys).
- Primary Two (P2): 9 children (1 Jewish, 3 orphans, 5 with parents; 3 girls, 6 boys).
- Primary Three (P3): 25 children (10 Jewish, 5 orphans, 10 with parents; 12 girls, 13 boys).
- Primary Four (P4): 20 children (3 Jewish, 11 orphans, 6 with parents; 11 girls, 9 boys).
Waiting List: There are currently nearly 200 children on our waiting list. We hope to expand classrooms and secure additional tuition sponsorships to admit them in upcoming terms.
Supervision & Welfare
On March 7, 2024, we welcomed Fatuma Nakagori from Innovation Africa, who inspected our local facility connections. Headmaster Joseph continues to actively coach our teachers, while I work to allocate resources to support daily logistics.
Nutritional Program: All students, teachers, and staff receive meals at school, including daily breakfast, lunch, and special community Kabalat Shabbat meals on Friday afternoons. We also provide weekly allowances and monthly wages to teachers to keep morale high.
Academic Achievements
Students have made significant academic strides. We are encouraging English and Hebrew as our primary languages of communication, working to eliminate local vernacular inside classrooms. I teach Hebrew language and Judaic history daily. Under Joseph's direction, teachers evaluate progress through weekly homework and plans to introduce term-end examinations.
Pressing Setbacks
Despite our achievements, we face two critical setbacks:
- Absence of Uniforms: Most children attend class in plain clothing. This impacts public perception within the town council and compromises student security outside school boundaries.
- Wage Allowance Delays: One teacher has not received their monthly allowance due to a lack of recurring general funds.
Conclusion & Thanksgiving
We extend our deepest gratitude to our global donors and supporters who fund our meals, wages, and materials. May you continue to stand with the children of Nakagyo.
Shalom,
Loko Avaran
Director, Karen Nursery & Primary School