West Nile School Mentorship Program Records Success in First Phase.

The West Nile Development Association (WENDA) has successfully concluded the first phase of its school mentoring program, leaving a remarkable positive impact in selected schools across the region.

The initiative, designed to tackle high school dropout rates and behavioral challenges, was piloted at St. Joseph’s College Ombaci, St. Charles Lwanga College Koboko, St. Mary’s Ediofe Girls Secondary School, and St. Aloysius College Nyapea.

The program, rooted in the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Students, emphasized proactive learning, effective goal setting, teamwork, and personal well-being. Activities included one-on-one mentoring sessions, leadership workshops, study skills training, and team-building events, all aimed at building responsible and focused learners.

According to Moses Akuma Odims, the Executive Director of WENDA, the first phase has already registered a significant transformation in learner attitudes, discipline, and academic engagement. “We are seeing students take more responsibility for their choices and futures. The positive behavioral shift is evident, and we are confident this will translate into better academic performance and reduced dropout rates,” he noted.

Moses Akuma Odims, the Executive Director of WENDA.

Education stakeholders across the region welcomed the outcomes. Raymond Ombere, Arua City Education Officer, said the program had instilled “a new spirit of responsibility and focus” among students, while Maxwell Dramadri, Chairperson of ASHU – Arua Branch, emphasized that student leaders were now role-modeling better discipline and commitment.

At St. Joseph’s College Ombaci, Emmanuel Aloro, the Dean of Guidance and Counselling, revealed that the mentorship had reached across different classes, fostering inclusivity and peer support. “This is not just about a few; it’s about cultivating a school-wide culture of discipline and excellence,” he said.

Supported by the West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO), the one-year program is expected to roll out further phases, building on the early gains. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will continue to track improvements in student habits, academic performance, and overall satisfaction with the mentorship approach.

Regional Manager West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO)

The successful completion of the first phase has been hailed as a milestone in rethinking education and student empowerment in West Nile, providing a model for behavior change and dropout reduction in schools nationwide.