WENDA LAUNCHES SCHOOL MENTORING PROGRAM TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE HABBITS FOR STUDENTS SUCCESS

WENRECO P.R.O,(second left), WENDA C.E.O, City Education officer and other officials during the launch. Photo by Onzoma Albert. 
 
By Onzoma Albert
Arua City
 
The West Nile Development Association (WENDA), in partnership with West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO), launched a one-year program dubbed "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Students" mentoring program on July 28, 2025.
 
Grounded in Stephen Covey's principles from his book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," the program aims to equip students with essential skills and positive habits for academic success and personal development.
 
Using interactive workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and group activities, the initiative seeks to foster habits that improve academic performance, leadership, social-economic skills, and reduce behavioral issues and absenteeism.
 
The program is being implemented in five pilot secondary schools in the West Nile region, including St Joseph’s College Ombaci, Mvara senior secondary school, St Charles Lwanga College Koboko, St Aloysius Nyapea and St Mary’s Ediofe Girls, with plans for expansion.
Mentors will collaborate with teachers to establish a school environment conducive to adopting these effective habits, thereby promoting a culture aligned with the new competency-based curriculum introduced by the Ugandan government.
 
According to stakeholders like Moses Odims Akuma, the Chief Executive Officer of WENDA, the program aligns with national education goals and will address the root cause of high dropout rates by empowering students to be confident and motivated.
 
“Late last year there was a release of the census report which indicated that 60% of the young people in West Nile region are not in education, not in employment and not in any training, so this statistic triggered the council of West Nile development Association to task the secretariat to come with an innovation to respond and address the drivers of this statics of young people who are out there” he said.  
 
According to Raymond Ombere, the city education officer of Arua city, the program has fitted and aligned well with the national aims and objectives of Uganda.
 
“I am quite sure this mentoring program is going to help us to deepen the understanding the national aims and objectives of education in this country, I have no doubt in my mind that this program will in a way transform the learners that will come out of our school system” he said.
 
Lillian Ayot, the public relations officer of WENRECO emphasizes the importance of community support to sustain and scale the program.
 
“Through this mentorship program we believe the students will be able to set personal goals, know why they are there in school and see how they can significantly contribute to the development of their communities at West Nile region and the country because we want to see students who have goals and purpose in life” she said.
 
This initiative strives to improve school outcomes, reduce dropouts, and develop well-rounded, effective students equipped for life challenges.