By Bondry Kilenga
Gulu University administration has registered their disappointment in the number of applicants that registered for programs at Gulu University constituent college- Kotido campus which is yet to be operational in August 2024.
The Campus will be housed at the former Kotido PTC that was among the 22 Primary Teachers Colleges which in accordance to the government’s teacher policy were phased out as part of the official transition away from Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications in favor of requiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
In June this year, the University advertised offering 2 courses namely Bachelors in Public Administration and Bachelors of Education (Primary) under the Direct, Diploma, Graduate and Higher Education Access Certificate Entry Schemes.
However, James Onono Ojok the Gulu University Public relations officer while speaking to Etoil A Karamoja said that about only 200 applicants were able to apply for programs at the university and less than 150 committed themselves by paying the application fees of 50,000 Uganda shillings.
Ojok says these numbers would leave the university operating at a loss putting into consideration the costs of operations citing the hiring and transportation of Lecturers from within and Gulu among others.
According to Ojok as the University, despite the poor respond to the call for application, will by the 15th to the 20th of August 2024 start ope-rationalization of the Kotido campus with the number that has shown interests.
He further appealed to the locals to make good use of the facility now that it has been brought closer to them, inorder to cut unnecessary costs encountered in upgrading and studying in other districts.
In February 2023, Dr Sidonia Angom the chairperson task force Gulu University constituent college-Moroto said the Kotido campus was projected to benefit about 1,427 Grade 3 teachers spread across Karamoja sub region and the neighboring Teso, Lango and Acholi regions.
