Shimoni Teachers College opens

The government plans to construct a demonstration primary school at the new site of Shimoni Core Primary Teachers College in Wakiso in a move that will complete the transfer of the college from the city centre that started at least five years ago.

The new Shimoni Core PTC was officially unveiled on Wednesday at Kitikifumba village, Kira Town Council.
Both institutions were displaced in 2006 after the 15-acre piece of land they were occupying in the city centre was given to an investor.

Two months away...
Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Francis Lubanga, who presided over the opening of the new college, said the primary school structures will be covered under phase II of the Shimoni relocation.

“We are in the process of procuring a contractor and after two months we hope to embark on the second phase (of constructing a demonstration school),” he said.
Shimoni Core PTC has for the last four years been hosted by Nyondo PTC in Mbale while the primary section occupies the playground of Kololo Primary School in Kampala.

Ms Annet Mugisha, the coordinator of the Shimoni Schools Relocation Project, said Shs3.4 billion has been put aside for the demonstration school project.
“We are happy that phase I (constructing Shimoni PTC) has been successful and we hope that the contractor who will be picked to handle phase II will also exhibit excellent workmanship ,” said Ms Mugisha.

However, she added that part of the funds will be used to complete some works at the PTC and procure science kits and equipment.

Government earmarked Shs11.4 billion for the entire project which Education Minister Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire describes as one of the largest government investments into a single institution.

Two months away...
“The new site is beautiful, spacious and provides a conducive environment for learning,” Ms Bitamazire said on Wednesday. “And I am optimistic that after completing the demonstration school, Shimoni will rise again as a centre of excellence for primary teachers.”
The whole campus sits on a 25 –acre piece of land.

In 2006, government gave away Shimoni land to a Saudi Arabian tycoon, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud despite criticism from various stakeholders. The prince had earlier planned to erect a five-star hotel for the Commonwealth Heads of Government (Chogm) Meeting which Kampala hosted in Nov 2007 but later pulled out due to financial constraints.