Education Hand Up
Leaders, students and parents in Uganda have hailed China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) Uganda Ltd. for its supporting role in the country’s education sector, including building schools, paying school fees and sponsoring activities to keep students in school.
The oil giant recognised 218 top-performing students from oil-rich districts of Hoima and Kikuube on 12 September during the CNOOC Best Performers Awards Ceremony at its Kikuube District Headquarters.
A statement from CNOOC Uganda said that the awards reflect the vision shared at the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where China’s commitment to Africa’s development through education, infrastructure, and sustainable growth was emphasised. Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of human capital, saying that China would continue to support the educational and vocational training of young Africans, for they are the future of Africa.
Corporate social responsibility
CNOOC awarded the students with 44.3 million Ugandan shillings ($12,941), meant to help them to pay for school fees as they advance to the next level of their education. Of these, 16 students with disabilities were recognised for their resilience and achievements and received cash prizes and certificates, providing encouragement for their academic journey, and inspiring future scholars.
The two districts of Hoima and Kikuube are located in west Uganda, over 250 km away from the country’s capital Kampala, where CNOOC explored and discovered oil in partnership with other companies, and they are now constructing an oil refinery. As one of its corporate social responsibilities, CNOOC decided to reward the best performing students at the different levels of national examinations, including primary, secondary and advanced education. It has also constructed schools and sponsored school activities.
Government officials including district leaders from Hoima and Kikuube, district education officers, education inspectors, resident district commissioner, security officers, parents and students attended the awarding ceremony and praised CNOOC Uganda’s commitment to education.
Presiding over the function at Kikuube District Headquarters, Vincent Alpha Opio, vice chairman of the Kikuube District Local Council said, “We appreciate CNOOC’s generosity. It will go a long way in improving education in our area.” Opio cited lack of academic institutions and long distance to access them in some areas, saying this presents challenges to the children’s quest for education. He called for all stakeholders’ joint efforts to ensure that they cooperate with development partners like CNOOC to promote education in their area.
Aminah Bukenya, acting head of CNOOC Uganda corporate affairs, said in her speech at the ceremony that the company shares a broader commitment to fostering education and development and, through this initiative, they not only invest in Uganda’s future, but also align with the vision of stronger cooperation as set forth during the FOCAC Beijing Summit.
“In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, the initiative aims to promote academic excellence and support education in this area. The rewarded students received cash prizes and certificates, providing encouragement for their continued academic journey,” said Bukenya.
She said that in alignment with the vision shared at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, CNOOC will continue to support the education and energy sectors for a better future. According to her, the company has supported 930 students in Uganda since 2013.
Keeping kids in school
Other education support programmes include donations to schools to improve learning facilities like the $500,000-donation to Entebbe Welfare School, and international scholarships.
Bukenya said that this year, 218 outstanding students, including 78 from Hoima City, 70 from Hoima District, 70 from Kikuube District who sat for the Primary Leaving Examinations, Uganda Certificate of Education and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in 2023, were awarded.
Muhanuzi Aaron, one of the beneficiaries from St. Andrea Kaahwa’s College in Hoima, expressed his gratitude, saying that, “I am deeply honoured to receive this award. It is a great encouragement for me to keep pursuing my dreams. I thank CNOOC Uganda for helping us to realise our potential, and I feel more confident about my future.”
Beneficiary Darius Opio, a student at St. Andrea Kaahwa’s College, hailed CNOOC for the initiative that he said motivates learners. “The initiative further fuels our determination to go an extra mile to attain success. Whereas there are many brilliant students out there, due to lack of funds, many wouldn’t be able to continue with education had it not been for this initiative,” Opio said, adding that he hopes the initiative can be widened to benefit more students.
Meanwhile, James Mugasha, parent to a student at St. Andrea Kaahwa’s College, said, “I have several children in different schools and getting school fees for all of them is not easy. Therefore, CNOOC’s support is a great relief to me,” he said.
District Education Officer for Kikuube Deogratius Byakagaba applauded CNOOC Uganda for its initiative that he said has motivated learners to work harder and consequently improved results at primary, secondary and advanced levels. Byakagaba called for more interventions in the same area, saying there are still some gaps in the sports sub-sector. He requested CNOOC to support schools more in co-curricular activities like performing arts and sports because they are vital in the contemporary world and areas that could be a source of livelihood. He revealed that it has been observed that whenever there are music, dance and drama competitions in schools in the district, they attract many children.
