IGANGA Parents Secondary School is a private, mixed, day and boarding school located about 1.5kms in the centre of Iganga Municipality, Iganga District.

It was established in 1999 by celebrated educationists of the Mpaata family led by Hajji Asuman Mpaata as the head teacher with the mission of providing quality and affordable education to the community.

Like they say teaching kids to count is fine but teaching kids what counts is best, Iganga Parents Senior Secondary School started from a low ebb with just five students and a handful of committed and determined teachers in 1999 to teach students what counts in life.

The school has since become synonymous with academic excellence by consistently producing excellent results backed by well groomed and disciplined students who have defended their performances up to their work places in the country.

Hajji Asuman Mpaata says the motto: Quality Education Is Our Tradition serves as a constant reminder and call to both the students and teachers who have always worked tirelessly to ensure those who pass through Iganga Parents Senior secondary school become men and women of valor.

“…the school has consistently produced excellent academic results, it has a reputation for academic rigor, with many students securing admissions to prestigious universities and colleges both local and outside Uganda…”, the founder head teacher boasts.

Quoting one of the 17th century proverbs which says, “…all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy…”which simply means a person becomes both bored and boring unless he takes time off from work or an activity, Hajji Asuman Mpaata says at Iganga Parents, extracurricular activities form part of the school’s rich menu.

The list includes debates, public speaking, robotics and community service in a bid to broaden their skills to be able to offer solutions to their local problems and handle life’s challenges as well.

Other areas like sports, football, netball, music and performing arts and athletics, among others where the school has scooped dozens of accolades over years, now make many describe Iganga Parents SS as the Regional Academic Supermarket.

On infrastructure development, the very experienced educationist says Iganga Parents School has registered significant growth and development like a big and well stocked library, science laboratories, classroom blocks and sports grounds for both boys and girls.

Like they say one good turn deserves another, the school’s excellent services to the community have reached the ears of many including the ministry of education in charge of all schools, private inclusive.

As leaders of today and tomorrow, the students are introduced to leadership and governance principles where they use the school as their leadership nursery beds to be able to sprout successfully.

“…we foster student leadership by allowing them to elect their own leaders in a free and democratic environment where they also participate freely in decision making processes…”, Hajji Asuman Mpaata explained.

He says the above approaches enhance the confidence of students and prepare them to become responsible, accountable and useful citizens and leaders who will guide the affairs of their respective communities.

Challenges

The above success stories, notwithstanding, Iganga Parents School, like many others is facing some challenges especially following the COVID-19 pandemic that devastated the socio-economic activities of the education sector.

Hajji Asuman Mpaata says the temporary closure of schools during the lockdown for two years disrupted the academic calendar and normal functioning of the school, forcing some students to drop out.

“…the transition to online learning was difficult due to limited access to technology and internet connectivity, making remote teaching and learning a real headache…”, he says.

Sitting on an 8 acre-land, Hajji Asuman Mpaata is optimistic that more infrastructures to accommodate more facilities and students will be done in a phased manner when resources are available.

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