DOKOLO – Adeknino Seed Secondary School in Dokolo District has sworn in its first Board of Governors (BOG) to steer the school’s management for the next three years.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the school premises and was presided over by Commissioner of Oaths, Ponsiano Okello of Ponsiano Okello and Company Advocates.
The 12-member board is headed by Gilbert Opio as Chairperson, with George Otim as Vice Chairperson. Other members include Apio Keren Odongo as Parent Representative, Joyce Tila as Foundation Body Representative, Odur Geoffrey, James Otto Apili, Edwin Odur Luru, Aboko Calvin, and Etap Focas as Teachers’ Representative, among others.
In his devotion, Rev. Ven. Ronald Paul Eguny, the Archdeacon of Dokolo Archdeaconry, who based his message on 1st John Chapter 4:8, emphasized that God’s love should be at the center of leadership for those entrusted to lead the school.
Koli Susan, the Headteacher of Adeknino Seed Secondary School, said the school started in 2014 as a community school and operated as a private institution until 2025, when government deployed 22 teaching staff and 6 support staff.
She said the enrollment has grown from 120 to 270 students currently, and thanked the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) for awarding the school a centre number.
She acknowledged the dedication of her fellow staff, noting that the school believes in them and that teamwork is key to the school’s progress.
George Otim, the outgoing Interim Chairperson who served since 2014 after retiring as a teacher and has now been appointed Vice Chairperson, narrated how they managed the school amidst numerous challenges.
He thanked the Diocese for being a powerful institution that values education and sent gratitude to the Bishop through the Diocesan education coordinator Christopher Odongo.
He pledged to work as a team for the betterment of the school.
The new Chairperson, Gilbert Opio, explained the challenges faced in running the school following policy implementation by the Ministry of Local Government.
”Having worked in Dokolo for long, I still have love for the people of Dokolo and all their institutions,” Opio said.
He stressed the need for quality assurance, both internal and external resource mobilization, and attention to staff and student welfare, urging his fellow board members to be visionary.
Quoting Colossians Chapter 3:17, Opio advised the team to work as if they are serving the Lord.
The Diocesan Education Coordinator, Christopher Odongo, said the Diocese owns 188 primary schools, 30 secondary schools, 5 technical schools and 1 university.
He noted that the Diocese started many seed schools, but it is only in Lango Sub-region that the schools were started and not fully taken over by government because of the good people entrusted to manage them.
”Putting seed secondary schools was to remove the church from education but we are saying without the church overseeing the learning, education cannot move well,” Odongo said.
He explained that the school is a mission field for the church and all subjects taught in class, including Agriculture, Mathematics and technical skills, are for the good of a Christian.
He added that education is a societal issue that does not need a Chief Administrative Officer posted from far to write letters discouraging parents from supporting school development.
He encouraged new board members to have correct documentation indicating the voice and support of parents towards school development and not leave all matters to headteachers.
Rev. Ven. Can. Silvesto Ocen, the Diocesan Education Inspector, in his speech drawn from Acts Chapter 6:1-8, told the new board members, “When we chose you, we want to empower you for the tasks, you are the people of tolerance, value, real people among others but maintain the value.”
”Killing Abel didn’t make Cain be the accepted one, don’t kill those in the Board, it will not help you,” Ocen cautioned.
Godfrey Ojungu, the District Sports Officer who represented the District Education Officer of Dokolo, said his presence was to witness, hear and confirm what was taking place.
He thanked the community of Adeknino for embracing the development.
”The rate at which Adeknino Seed Secondary School is growing is very high and as education department we are very happy with it and it’s always our reference point in terms of sports, academic, discipline among others,” Ojungu said.
He urged education stakeholders to respect one another’s views in running school institutions and pledged support after seeing very experienced members on the BOG.
He advised board members to always be guided by the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and other relevant Acts.
The Board also approved two committees. The Finance Committee will be chaired by former Dokolo district LC5 James Otto Apili, with Joyce Tila, Odur Geoffrey, Etap Focas and former Adeknino sub county LC3 Ogwal Frederick as members.
The Academic and Discipline Committee will be chaired by Edwin Odur Luru, with Aboko Calvin, Wece Daniel, and Apio Keren Odongo as members.
