By Steven Enatu
SOROTI CITY
Students of Bethany Girls Comprehensive Secondary School are turning classroom knowledge into practical solutions as the Lower Secondary Competence-Based Curriculum continues to reshape learning across the country.
During the school’s project exhibition on 14th November 2025, learners showcased a wide range of innovations developed in response to challenges they identified within the school and the surrounding community.
Bethany, formerly a girls’ school and now mixed since 2023 under director Martine Okiria Obore, has quickly become a model for curriculum-driven innovation.
Visitors at the exhibition were welcomed by dozens of student-made products, including mosquito repellents, solar dryers, charcoal briquettes, cough syrup, rodent poison, handmade plates, volleyball nets, shoe polish, and toothpaste enriched with calcium.
Director Okiria said the innovations reflect a new mindset among learners, who are now keen on solving real-life problems.
“Today we witnessed mosquito repellents, solar dryers, handmade plates, and even a cough syrup I tested myself,” he said. “Students are identifying problems in the market and improving the quality and shelf life of fruits and vegetables that often go to waste.”
Okiria highlighted the potential of the solar dryer to add value to fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, jackfruit, and vegetables like eggplants and cowpea leaves. He believes the school could eventually market dried produce under a Bethany brand.
The director urged parents to support the learners by purchasing some of the products during the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
He noted that the initial financial support from parents is essential if the projects are to reach full production stage.
“Once these projects take off, the students will be able to sell their products without depending on parents again,” he said.
Headteacher, Paul Opesen praised the curriculum for encouraging learners to apply classroom knowledge in practical settings.
“These projects are entirely student ideas,” he said. “They move around the school and visit the community, identify problems, research, and come up with items that solve those problems.”
Opesen noted that projects such as low-cost toothpaste and mosquito repellents are already addressing daily challenges faced by many families.
He added that the hands-on approach has inspired learners, with some adopting nicknames like “Chinese doctor” or “Japanese chemist” in connection to their creations.
Despite the progress, the headteacher cited funding gaps as a major challenge.
“Some projects require more materials than students can afford. The school sometimes steps in, but sustained support from parents would help these innovations grow,” he said.
He also appealed for more media coverage to help students promote their products and attract customers. It was in this spirit of strengthening visibility and motivation for young innovators that TBS Radio joined the exhibition as an invited partner to award outstanding groups, inspire learners, and build hope among the next generation of problem-solvers. Director Obore described their presence as an awakening and inspirational moment for the school—one that aligned with TBS Radio’s mission of serving and uplifting the youthful generation through its programming.
Senior One student Aniemo Faith spearheaded the development of a mosquito repellent after noticing persistent malaria cases among learners.
The repellent, made from citronella oil, essential oils, coconut oil, honey, and eucalyptus, is applied on the hands and legs.
Aniemo, who dreams of becoming a professor of herbal medicine, said the product was tested and proven effective.
Senior three student Achom Brenda Lilian designed a solar dryer to reduce food wastage after observing spoiled vegetables and fruits in the main market.
She used savings of Shs10,000 per term contributed since Senior One to purchase materials such as black and white polythene, wood, a black net, and nails.
Her dryer preserves fruits during off-seasons, ensuring availability for groups like expectant mothers who rely on certain foods.
Achom noted that assembling the dryer came with challenges, including bruises from hammering nails, but said the experience strengthened her confidence and skills.
Other showcased projects included charcoal briquettes for environmental conservation, handmade plastic plates, volleyball nets, rodent poison, and herbal cough syrup, highlighting the versatility of the students’ ideas.
Bethany’s leadership believes the curriculum is positioning learners for careers in science, research, engineering, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
With increased parental, community, and media support, the school hopes to grow into an innovation hub for Teso and the surrounding regions.
During the recognition session, the TBS radio manager Dabia Noah encouraged students to continue with innovations that solve community challenges. She also cautioned them ahead of long holidays coming to be productive at home and stay away from habits that may ruin their Education.
