Fields of Life

Fields of Life's Third Annual Education Conference, Kampala 2009

“Making Our School a Better School, Through Effective Management and Christian Leadership”

The 3rd Annual Conference, for Fields of Life school principals and directors, was held in Kampala on December 2nd and 3rd, 2009. A total of 180 delegates from five East African countries attended, with the majority coming from Uganda but also with representation from Burundi, The Democratic Republic of the Congo , Rwanda and Kenya.

The aims of the conference were;

1. To communicate the key factors which identify successful Fields of Life Schools.
2. To enhance the concept of Christian leadership.
3. To encourage headteachers and directors to take more responsibility for improving the quality of education in their schools.
4. To develop collaborative structures for management and staff training in our schools.
5. To address, in separate and joint sessions , the dichotomy between the roles of the headteacher and director.
6. To encourage sound financial management and alternative funding sources.

Background to the Conference.

The last year has seen unprecedented development in the Fields of Life education service. The number of schools has increased to 96 with a number of others currently under construction. Our Educational Adviser, Bernard Masaba, has been in post for two years and in that time has set up a structure for inspection and support for our schools which has been successful in identifying those schools where progress has been made and also those where problems have been noted.

In July 2009, nine headteachers, from FOL schools throughout East Africa, were identified as potential Associate/Assessors-Inspectors. Their designated role was to assist Bernard in carrying out his rigorous inspection and advisory duties. The work of the Associates has the potential to make a very significant contribution to raising standards in our schools.

Conference Outcomes.

As a result of the conference the following were designated as Standards of Excellence to which all schools should aspire;

• Christian Ethos
• Collaborative Management
• Vision and Planning
• The Quality of Teaching and Learning
• Links with Parents and the Community
• Governance and Financial Management

 Conclusion and Recommendations.

Over the last two years we have been striving to establish what it means to be a Fields of Life school, and this was by far the most successful conference yet and fully vindicated the decision of Fields of Life to run a conference at a time of financial stringency.

Awards were presented to 8 schools for outstanding achievement in academic, cultural and sporting areas. These awards recognise achievement in a wide range of categories illustrating that it is not only academic performance which is important in seeking to provide a broad and relevant education.

There is no doubt that there are many challenges to face in the future but I feel that we are beginning to establish structures and protocols which will enable all of our schools to make satisfactory progress to becoming effective and successful schools.

With God’s help and continued prayer, we feel confident that the education provided in Fields of Life schools will continue to be an example to all other schools in their districts.

Patrick Manning , Fields of Life Educational Consultant and Chair of the Educational Advisory Group.