Mickael Onyait comes from the Teso region in Uganda and has worked as a teacher in Amudat District for the past 15 years. He is currently the headmaster of Katikit primary school. What motivates Mickael to be a teacher in this remote place?
What made you decide to become a teacher?
It was a calling from God. I always admired to be in position to help people and I am passionate about passing knowledge to the younger generation.
According to you, what are the characteristics of a good teacher?
A good teacher has knowledge, is patient and knows how to engage and speak to children.
You are not from Amudat. Why did you decide to come and teach here?
I started working as a teacher in Nakapiripirit, a district bordering Amudat. I worked there and I was transferred to Kalas boys, a catholic boys school in Amudat district. After that, I was transferred to Katabok primary school and to Kalas girls, the catholic girls school. I finally transferred to Katikit and was promoted to be a head teacher. I am happy to work as a teacher in Amudat, because i want this region to catch up with other places in Uganda. And i believe education is the key to success.
What is your dream for (the pupils in) your school?
It is my dream to become the best school in the district and for all the children to pass well in p7. I want them to be disciplined and well-performing students, and eventually to become role models in the community. The number of pupils in this school should continue to increase. CCA helps, by giving vulnerable children an opportunity to study.
What are some of the challenges?
The biggest challenge in educating pupils in this school is the language barrier. Most of our teachers are not the natives of this place and don’t speak the Pokot language. In class 1, 2 and 3, we are supposed to teach children in the native language, but it is very hard to find teachers speaking the Pokot language. Other challenges are infectious diseases in school, spreading quickly among the boarding students. Like recently when we had an outbreak of scabis. And we don’t have mosquito nets, so malaria is also very common.
Do you have any advice for CCA?
All children are brought up from home. Their parents are their first teachers. So I would advise CCA to continue involving parents in the education of the children. Together we can help these children to realize their dreams.
