ALUR KING CALLS FOR COLLECTIVE ACTION AGAINST ILLITERACY AT ANGAL SS CELEBRATION

Alur King His Majesty Ubimu Phillip Rauni Ularker III.photo/ courtesy 

By Mike Rwothomio 
Zombo

Angal Secondary School marked its annual School Day and Fundraising Ceremony, graced by His Royal Majesty Philip Olarker Rauni III, Ubimu of Alur, who emphasized the critical role of education, particularly for girls, in transforming the future of the Alur Kingdom and the West Nile region.

The Annual School Day Celebration at Angal Secondary School was distinguished by a ceremonial procession and the formal arrival of the Chief Guest, Ubimo Olarker Philip Rauni III.

The event fostered a vibrant atmosphere, uniting students, educators, support staff, parents, alumni, local Boda Boda riders, and the broader Angal community in a warm welcome on July 11, 2025, in Angal, Nebbi District.

The event, focused on raising funds to improve the girls’ dormitory, highlighted the school’s commitment to enhancing girl-child education in a region grappling with a 59% illiteracy rate, significantly higher than the national average of 26%, according to recent data.

In his speech, the King underscored the importance of collective support from stakeholders, including the Catholic Church, school management, teachers, parents, and the Nebbi District Local Government to sustain the school’s growth since its founding in 1969.

“Angal Secondary School has been on an upward trajectory, a testament to its strong foundation,” he noted, urging continued collaboration to ensure academic excellence and infrastructure development.

Established in 1969 by the Comboni Missionaries, Angal Secondary School has grown from humble beginnings into a key educational institution in Nebbi District’s Padyere County, within the West Nile sub-region.

Administered by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nebbi, the school has consistently served as a beacon of learning, producing notable alumni and contributing to the region’s educational landscape.

Its strategic location in Angal Village, near Nyaravur-Angal Town Council, positions it as a vital community asset, fostering both academic and cultural development.

The West Nile region faces significant educational challenges, with 28.7% of its over 3 million people never having attended school and only 7.8% achieving literacy, according to a recent statistics revealed by Raymond Ombere, Chairperson of the National Association of District and Municipal Education Officers.

These statistics underscore the urgency of initiatives like the fundraising for the girls’ dormitory, which aims to create a conducive learning environment to keep girls in school.

The King highlighted the broader societal impacts of illiteracy, particularly for women, who face barriers such as inability to access health information, support their children’s education, or engage in formal employment.

“The girl-child surmounts more challenges to succeed, requiring affirmative action,” he said, calling for protection against exploitation and increased support for female education.

The School Day at Angal Secondary School serves multiple purposes beyond fundraising. It fosters community engagement, uniting stakeholders to address educational challenges collaboratively.

The event provided a platform for students to showcase talents through extracurricular activities, boosting confidence and promoting holistic development. It also reinforces cultural pride, with the King advocating for a cultural club and student excursions to historical sites like the Royal Palace in Atyak-Winam.

By celebrating academic and cultural achievements, the event inspires students to strive for excellence, addressing the region’s low academic performance, which the King noted as “still wanting.”

The King urged teachers to complete the syllabus on time and encouraged students to “study harder and smarter” to compete with top-performing schools nationwide.

He also proposed stronger ties between the school and the Alur Kingdom’s Ministry of Education and Environment to enhance educational initiatives.

The fundraising effort for the girls’ dormitory is a step toward improving infrastructure, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for female students, which is critical to reducing dropout rates and combating illiteracy.

As Nebbi District, with its 91 government-aided primary schools and 17 secondary schools, continues to address educational gaps, Angal Secondary School’s efforts highlight the power of community-driven initiatives.

With the collective support of stakeholders and the Alur Kingdom, Angal Secondary School is poised to play a pivotal role in reducing illiteracy and empowering the next generation, particularly girls, to break the cycle of poverty and contribute to a sustainable future for the region.