By Mike Rwothomio

The Nebbi NGO Forum has strengthened the professional capacity of 1,028 teachers across primary schools in Zombo District through its Professional Learning Community (PLC) programme.

The four-year initiative, implemented under the “Alochi ku Somo II” project and funded by the Swiss-based NGO CO-OPERAID, focused on equipping educators with learner-centred teaching methodologies, collaborative planning skills, and evidence-based pedagogical practices. 

The programme emphasised reflective practice, team teaching, classroom engagement strategies, and the application of research to improve teaching and learning outcomes.

Project Officer Alfred Ogenmungu revealed during the District PLC Institutionalisation Workshop held at Zombo District headquarters on Thursday, June 26, that the 1,028 teachers were reached through a cascade model of direct trainer-of-trainers sessions and subsequent multiplication across all 15 lower local government units. The formal training phase concluded last year.

“The PLC activity is now taking another direction of peer-to-peer training,” Ogenmungu said. “Teachers do it internally through attained knowledge sharing.”

The programme promoted interdependent professional collaboration, joint scheming and lesson planning, collaborative marking, teacher networking, and the integration of ICT in instruction. 

According to programme reports, 98% of teachers in government, private, and community primary schools adopted these practices, leading to improved knowledge sharing and enhanced learner outcomes.

Transition to Sustainability

Ronald Ofoyrwoth, Executive Director of Nebbi NGO Forum, presented the transition strategy and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advancing academic excellence in the district. 

He called on technical staff, political leaders, and other stakeholders to collaborate on improving education performance and ensuring programme sustainability.

“We also commit that in the remaining period we will do our best to ensure we utilise it to galvanise these aspirations and the ideas you have talked about to achieve our aim,” Ofoyrwoth stated.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of persistent challenges in the district’s education sector. 

In the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Zombo District registered 2,768 candidates with the following results: Division One: 25; Division Two: 635; Division Three: 1,008; Division Four: 459; Ungraded: 610; and Division X: 31. The district ranked 173rd out of 176 districts nationally.

Participating teachers shared strong testimonials on the programme’s transformative effect:

Dickson Ocan from Kango Primary School noted: “Before PLC came, teachers were operating on an individual basis but now, we are taking responsibilities as a team.”

Abale Simon from Nyapea Girls Primary School said the training “changed the mindset of rigid teachers and helped them with wider knowledge of teaching through research work.”

Joel Wanican from Patek Paduk Primary School highlighted “increased school enrollment [and] improved team work,” commending the organisation for the initiative.

District Leaders

Bikadhu Patrick Othuma, Senior Education Officer, described the initiative as timely and commended Nebbi NGO Forum for effective implementation of the “Alochi ku Somo II” project. He warned against tolerance for Division X and U results, especially following recent salary increments, and expressed the district’s readiness to sustain the programme.

Mr. Silvio Jalar, Senior Inspector of Schools, urged that teacher success stories be translated into measurable improvements in education performance.

Representing the Chief Administrative Officer’s office, District Communication Officer Alex Pithua called on teachers to demonstrate community commitment and emphasised timely dissemination of education information to the media.

Established in 2001, Nebbi District NGO Forum has a membership of 85 Civil Society Organisations across Nebbi, Zombo, and Pakwach districts. It has partnered with Life Concern and CEFORD in implementing the “Alochi ku Somo” projects, which target education excellence through infrastructure development and educator capacity enhancement.

Stakeholders during the engagement

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot infomation hub for african news, trends and updates.