TAVISTOCK College this week played host to visitors from Uganda ? part of an innovative project to promote understanding and links between the college and Ndeeba Senior Secondary School, in the Kayunga area of the African country. The visit by Muyingo Martin, deputy head in Ndeeba, teacher Kezabu Kevin and student Suzan Nannanga has been funded by a special grant more more than £6,500 from the British Council. Provided good progress is made on the global curriculum project, more funds should be available to the two schools over the next two years. The schools have agreed to produce special editions of the college newspaper, In Focus, which will look at aspects of life in the UK and Uganda relating to the citizenship curriculum, including drug abuse, safe sex, unemployment and the rights of children. Carolyn Tossell, Tavistock College vice-principal, said: ?The newspaper will be used in teaching here and in Uganda, to raise students? awareness of things which affect young people. ?Although their circumstances might be very different, young people?s feelings and emotions are still very similar.? Tavistock College and Ndeeba Secondary have enjoyed a close link for about six years and there have been several exchange visits made by staff at both schools. But this is the first visit that Mr Martin has made to Tavistock ? he said quite apart from the specific reason for this visit, to be able to exchange experiences with his English counterparts was ?wonderful?. ?We find it so enlightening, so unique, it?s fascinating for us. We feel so proud to be able to associated with these people, because very few schools in Uganda have friends in the UK ? we are so proud of this.? Mr Martin said education in his country was a privilege for most children, not a right as it is in the UK. ?In Uganda you have to pay for education. Many students drop out of school because of money ? if you don?t pay, you?re out. Some even drop out when they get to national exams ? at this stage they pay almost double in fees but if they don?t take the exams they don?t get the certificate, even if they paid to go to school for four years.? At present, there are plans to build a new library at Ndeeba Secondary ? which has been helped by funds raised by students at Tavistock. He said: ?We are so grateful for this. When I met the college senate this week I was telling them that if it was possible, I would thank every single boy and girl in the college. ?We are really very grateful for the help from the students ? I don?t know how I can thank them enough.?
