What makes a Good school? Part 1

What are the indicators of a good school? Good results? Well organised students? Smaller classes? Secure site? Smart uniform? Good facilities? Holistic learning? Well trained staff?..........  In Uganda, a good school, apparently, should also have a school bus. It’s not just about the transport, that's for sure. Having a school bus represents so much more.

Many unscrupulous schools are known to rent, or even pretend to own, a bus just to create a false impression to potential parents and students.

Transport and transport costs are always a big deal in Uganda, as they present a real financial challenge for parents of boarding students who live far away. So a bus would certainly solve these issues: 

• Help bring students back to school from northern Uganda.
• Extend the range of day students able to access WTA.
• Provide easy, cheaper transport for tours/field trips and sports fixtures.
• Adds to the profile of a 'good school'.
• Symbolises and sends out a very strong message, (harder for us to understand), that for WTA, 'we have reached somewhere’.
• Any good bus is in great demand for community outing hire for weddings/funerals etc - which helps with self sustainability.

The idea of a school bus first came up years ago. At that time, the most pressing needs were far more basic: classrooms, dormitories, staff accommodation, not to mention textbooks, equipment etc. The cost of buying a secondhand, imported bus in Uganda seemed unnecessary and excessive, as they are so much more expensive here due to huge taxes. It would be impossible for the school to afford one at this stage.

However, the school has moved on and a bus has become more relevant. Firstly, this required a lot of discussion and deliberation with Charles & senior staff. Secondly, there was the unexpected offer of a very generous 'one off' donation from Steve Richardson, a long standing SD friend. So, almost overnight the school's dream became a reality.

In April Charles and Jerry went bus shopping, (as you do!), and within a few hours, chose an appropriate vehicle, that ticked all the boxes of quality, reliability and size. Sorting paperwork took over another month with hours and hours of phone calls to get it all signed off

On the last day of term, Jerry, as temporary driver, and Charles brought the bus back to school, negotiating the Kampala rush-hour in the shiny white bus. Fortunately the traffic officers were too astonished to see an empty bus driven by the 'mzungu' driver, that for once they forgot to stop them on the road up to WTA. No one wanted a boda or lorry scratch on the smart new paintwork!

Nothing prepared us for the astonishing celebration provided by students and staff to welcome the bus into school. Word had spread that the bus was on its way, so the students were ready at 7 am with a reception to rival that of the bride and groom arriving at a wedding party! Dancing, music, ululating, drumming, hefty PA system and endless cheering to herald in the beautiful vehicle complete with new tyres. It was both dramatic and surprisingly emotional. 

An undeniable success and a great decision for WTA. Like a new baby, the arrival of the bus was the talk of the town (Lukomera), with congratulations from the community, from parents and across numerous Whatsapp groups. 

As HM said about the students' welcome: 'I love the vibe'. All about a bus. All aboard ...