By Emmanuel Alomu
Schools have been asked to prioritise agricultural learning tours if they want their learners to perform better in the subject area.
Constant Omus, an agriculture teacher at Halcyon High School-Ocaapa in Serere district, says the new topics that the new curriculum has introduced like biotechnology and biosafety in agriculture will be passed if both theory and practical aspects have been handled well.
The teachers emphasize that tours enable learners to relate the theory and practical.
“Because of the continuous tours we always give our students offering agriculture, last year we managed to pass 10 agriculture students in distinctions,” he said.
James Muko, the head of the Agriculture department in Maruzi Seed SS in Apac Municipality said tours build students’ confidence so that they don’t panic in the examination room.
“The knowledge gained from here will help the students pass examinations and educate their parents. Parents will be able to start farming which will help them to get enough income for school fees and other necessities,” Muko said during their tour to the National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI), Serere.
According to him, the schools give learners only theory knowledge but they need to observe and handle some of the items physically like the spraying pump among others.
Muko testified that most of their agriculture students get distinctions 1 and 2, plus a few credits in O’ level.
Emmy Odongo, a senior six student at Maruzi Seed SS in Apac said agricultural tours enable them to see how they operate and handle farm tools as well as remembering some of the pastures’ botanical names.
“When you look at pastures in the field, you will be in position to remember its botanical name when it’s asked,” Odongo, who wants to do animal medicine or environmental science, said.
Justine Hope Asimo, a senior four student at Halcyon H/S said tours help students to know the tools used in a farm very well.
Rita Apio Ojok, a senior four student at Maruzi Seed SS, Apac believes that the tools and equipment will boost the learning of the theoretical part of studies in a class.
“It helps to build confidence in our careers, like me who wants to do an agriculture course,” Apio said.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Students on a tour at the National Agricultural Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI), Serere recently. Photo by Emmanuel Alomu
