National Teachers College Kabale in Kabale
The national teachers college is located in Kabale Municipality sitting on 68.4 acres of land.
It occupies the incomplete structures of the then Kabale Primary Teachers College that was established in 1984. The institution was constructed by the government a under the USAID project that prioritised the establishment of more primary teacher training colleges.
KABALE. The 33-year-old National Teachers College in Kabale District will this year get a facelift after receiving a grant of Euros 4m (about Shs18 billion) from Belgium Techinical Cooperation.
The principal of the college, Mr Benjamin Turyahikayo, on Tuesday revealed that the design and architectural plans are complete and the facelift is expected to commence by August.
“All the requirements including developing a master plan and structural designs are now complete. We are waiting for approval from the ministry of Education so that the actual rehabilitation and renovation can start,” Mr Turyahikayo explained.
“The total grant is Shs18b but Shs11.7b will be spent on infrastructure rehabilitation and renovation while the rest (Shs6.3b) will be used for capacity building,” Mr Turyahikayo said.
To be renovated
He said the work includes completing the unfinished structures such as lecture rooms and administration block.
And this, he said will see the number of lecture rooms increase from 24 to 33.
Likewise, the asbestos roofing on many of the buildings will be removed and replaced with iron sheets.
The other rehabilitation works include the extension and construction of power, sanitation and solid waste management facilities, drainage and safe water system.
Mr Turyahikayo said the students’ halls of residence and staff houses will also be given facelift in the second phase of the project.
The college has 17 staff houses and seven halls of residence for students.
The earlier rehabilitation arrangement that was set to be carried out between2009-2016 but failed to kick off, was set to be funded by the World Bank.
The World Bank project for renovating and rehabilitation of national teachers colleges phased out before Kabale could benefit.
“We thank the development partners and the Belgium Technical Cooperation for being faithful,” he said.
Mr Turyahikayo, however, revealed that the college faces a challenge of meager capitation grant.
The government provides only Shs1, 800 to each student to cater for their needs including meals, scholastic materials, transport, fire wood, general maintenance and repairs.
“Whereas we appreciate the continued funding from government, the capitation grant of Shs1, 800 for each student per day is unrealistic. It’s our wish that it is increased to at least Shs5,000 so that the administration can be able to provide all services required for the proper teaching and learning processes,” Mr Turyahikayo said.