Mutono Isaac, 34, a Makerere University Bachelor of Education student awaiting graduation come May 2021 has narrated his education journey to Campus Bee and what he plans to do after securing the degree. Mutono, who is among the graduands that will be graduating with first class degrees is one of the best in his course with a CGPA of 4.48.
Mutono, who hails from Namutumba District revealed that he started school in 1993 at Namutumba Primary School (P1-P2) who later joined Kaiti Primary School in 1995 for one term. The 34 – year – old graduand, who also holds a Grade Three Teachers’ Certificate is currently teaching at Nabikabala Primary school in Kiwanyi Subcounty, Namutumba District.
His education journey was not an easy one as he revealed to this website how he moved from one school to another following unavoidable challenges. After a long struggle of riding regularly to school which was far away from his home, Mutono completed his S4 with 28 aggregates from Nalubaale Senior Secondary School, Nankoma, Bugiri District.
Mutono’s parents; Kibwika Daudi and Namwebya Norah, who operate a retail shop in Mawanga Village in Bugiri District have worked tirelessly to see him become the first graduate from their family.
“I started school in 1993 at Namutumba Primary School (P1-P2), went Kaiti Primary School in 1995 for one term (first term) when my father’s business started deteriorating. In 1995 the second term I was transferred to Mawanga Primary School in Bugiri District where I completed my P7 in 1999.
I went to Nakivumbi Secondary school (collapsed after mismanagement) in 2000 for my S1-S3. In 2003, I was transferred to Nalubaale Senior Secondary School, Nankoma, Bugiri District where I completed my S4 with 28 aggregates for the best six by then which is a second grade after a long struggle of riding regularly to school for Kilometers from home.” Mutono told Campus Bee.
“I was then admitted to Bishop Willis Core Primary Teachers’ College Iganga after being selected for a pre service program by the government in 2004. I completed the course in 2006 and gained a Grade Three Teachers’ Certificate. I started looking for jobs in private schools to earn a living and my first private school employer was High Way Nursery and Primary school Iganga which is now a Hill Water Factory after the collapse of the school.” Mutono added.
The Makerere student also revealed that after securing a job at Nabikabala Primary school, he applied to join Kyambogo University where he was admitted under Kibuli study center for a Diploma in Primary Education (Grade V) in 2012, a holiday program. He completed the course in 2005 and graduated in 2006 with a Credit. When he finished his Diploma, Mutono realized that he needed to go back to school when still fresh, forcing him to join Makerere University in 2017.
“In 2017, applied for entry into a bachelor’s degree program (External) at Makerere University. I was admitted to the Faculty of Adult and continuing Education, Colleges of Education and external studies (CEES) in August 2017. I joined the University with three of my colleagues whom we were with at Kyambogo University. These friends inspired me to read had such that we do not fail. I always lacked tuition but always prayed to the Almighty that I do not get a dead year and a re take, which came true.” Mutono said.
The now excited Mutono also confessed that he went through struggles of balancing work and campus especially meeting the university requirements like course works in time. Mutono would sometimes be on loggerheads with the Headteacher of the school where he is currently teaching.
Mutono credits his success to his parents, friends and lecturers who made his dream of securing a first class degree a reality . Mutono, who plans to pursue a Masters Degree also dreams of becoming the first Doctor in his family.
“My parents who have worked tooth and nail to see that they get the very first graduate in their family and a wonderful degree which is a first class. My dream is, if I get a scholarship for a master’s degree, I will work hard to be a doctor and the very first in my family. Breaking records is not an easy thing but Jesus is a miracle worker.” He concluded.
