Mr. James Akabwai

A former Head Teacher of Teso College Aloet, Mr. Akabwai James Ilakut began his career as a Geography Teacher at Kololo Secondary School in Kampala. Prior to this, he received his degrees, a Master‘s of Education and a BA (Hons) respectively, from the Makerere University. Between 1976 and 2001, Mr. Ilakut served at various schools as Assistant Registrar and Deputy Director. His experience includes eight stints on the Board of Governors and most currently Chairman of the Education Service Commission in Kumi District. Mr. Ilakut joined Teso in 2002 as a Head Teacher and served seven years in the aftermath of the Lord‘s Resistance Army‘s invasion of school property. He aided the restoration of the school, still reeling from the psychological and emotional effects of the invasion, increasing student enrollment in 2006 from previous levels. Under his leadership, the A – Level science classes also doubled in attendance. Mr. Ilakut‘s focus on school improvement continues today. He encourages Teso school staff and Old Boys to work diligently to improve school status and increase academic excellence within the region and in the country.

INTERVIEW WITH MR. AKABWAI JAMES ILAKUT
ON FRIDAY, 13 JULY 2012

 

You are  a former Headteacher of Teso College Aloet, Can you please tell me your biography, education background and civil service experience in brief?

I am Akabwai James Ilakut born on 1^st May 1949 to a primary school teacher‘s family in Omolokonyo parish in Kumi district. I‘m happily married to Jane with whom I have six children.

I hold a Master of Education and a BA(Hons) with concurrent Diploma in Education of Makerere University. I went to Orungo Primary School (1955-1958) and Kolir Primary School (1959-1961) before joining Ngora High School (1962-63) and Maraka College (1964) for my junior education. From there, I moved to Kings College Budo for my ‘O‘ and ‘A‘ levels (1965-1967). In Budo, I was among those pioneer students to write ‘O‘ level exam while in senior 3, dubbed express class.

Well, I started as Geography Teacher at Kololo SS in Kampala (1973-1976), moved to St. Peter‘s College Tororo (1976-1982) and later joined NTC Kyambogo as Senior Assistant Registrar (1982-85) and Deputy Director (1989-93).

When I saw that there was no early possibility of becoming a Director at NTC, I crossed to Kigezi College Butobere (1994-98), Ngora High School (1998-2001) and Teso College Aloet (2002-09) where I worked as Headteacher. I have too served in eight Boards of Governors, and I‘m now chairman Education Service Commission at Kumi district.

How did you end up becoming the Headteacher of Teso College?

I was just beginning to stabilize as Headteacher in Ngora High when my predecessor at Teso College was sent on transfer. They looked around for a competent person to replace him (Mr. Kad Oliba) and they zeroed on me. I believe my long chain of experience must have given them the confidence.

What were the challenges which you faced as a former headteacher of TCA?

First, the school had just recovered from insurgency caused by Kony‘s LRA rebel invasion and you know what was attributed there. The aftereffects of the insurgency were affecting the school at the time I went there. The parents, teachers, and students were still psychologically stressed. The second one was…the school fee structure; it was very low and difficult to convince parents who said they‘re poor to increase the fees.

Thirdly, the general rising costs brought inadequacies, here and there, that needed to be attended and could not be attended to. The other challenge was the big blow caused by the 2003 Kony invasion of Teso; the parents transferred their sons to other schools especially after the killing of TCA‘s teacher. The school became depopulated. Rebuilding the school from then was gradual and dealing with low enrolment, low income, and traumatized people was not easy. But the good news is that by 2006, we‘d surpassed the previous enrolment.

Assume you could be the headteacher of Teso College Aloet the second time around, what would you have done differently or better?

What I did in that time I can‘t improve on it. I doubled the A-level science class intake…It is difficult to handle that one. I don‘t think I would have done any better than making the school better known.

What is your advice to the present and future headteachers in TCA?

Just to continue improving the school status both within Teso region and outside, and continue improving the staff morale. They should continue making Teso College a centre of academic excellence within the region and the country. And as a school improves, they, together with teachers, need to be working toward contentment. They shouldn‘t live a miserable life and be looked down upon after rendering a good service.

What is your message to the former and present students of Teso College?

They should be proud of their school; contribute toward the growth, development and excellence of their school. My predecessor organized for a OBs‘ meeting, it failed. I tried twice, it flopped. The PTA has tried to do something, but OBs have no tangible asset to be proud of. Kings College Budo English language laboratory was put up by one person. That kind of outstanding wonderful contribution is whatwe need of them. They need to inject in appropriate reasonable input…I‘d have loved to see members of Akabway house…to come up and say we‘re renovating or constructing a better Akabway.

Your last word, please.

I am proud of the input I made to the school. I left it when it was the school to reckon with. I am happy with my successor; he has even enhanced the school image.