The Secret Story of Lira Town College Retiring Headteacher
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By Frank G. oyugi
Lira, Uganda: Born on 30th September 1964 in a rural village of Abia,present day Alebtong district,Sophie Acen is a testament that in this country ,no matter your background or where you come from,you can make it in this country with zeal and determination.
On 30th of September 2024,Madam Sophie as she is Populary known will bow out of civil service -retiring as renown , respected and a sucessful headteacher whose credentials and achievements cannot be underestimated.
Who is this great academic giant?
Sophie Acen started her primary education at Abia primary school in 1971 and graduated in 1977 and would later proceed o christ the king Primary Teacher's college and scored a high second grade ( 203) out of 300 marks for three subjects at a tender age of 14
"It was hard for me to be admitted at Christ the king PTC because of my size ,they saw me as a very young girl but regardless I made it" narrates Sophie as she beams with smile
In 1968 ,Sophie tells the Luo Native that she had to go back to teach at Abia primary school even at a time when government wasn't paying teachers any exorbitant salary,but she loved her job and her pupils.
Sophie says she had to resit S.4 because she had only scored four credits and where she successfully passed and graduated in 1989 and she would later enroll at National Teacher's College Ngeta to qualify as a Secondary school teacher.
"At "NTC Ngetta we were studying with students who were straight from A-Level who would mock us and question if we could match thier level or even grasp basic concepts but that didn't derail me and I came out as a secondary teacher" Sophie adds
While a grade two teacher,Sophie's salary wasn't really that collosal and to make ends meet she diversified her economy and to boost her income by engaging in business and to be exact by vending shear nut oil.
Sophia Rose Acen who is due to retire from government civil service come this 30/09/2024 says her legacy leaves her in joy and confidence as she prepares to leave service.
In an interview with The Luo Native on 30th -08-2024,Madam Sophia said much as she started her profession as a primary teacher from Abia P.7 at a tendor age of 14years she later advanced until she is now retiring as a secondary headteacher.
Acen who enrolled for secondary teaching between 1990 -1992 was admitted at st. Katherine after being engaged in business as a loan officer while at Abia P.7 and business woman.
she further went to kyambogo university in 1996 and graduated with a bachelors degree in 1998.
She how ever says her biggest challenge is love and affection for students which makes her sometimes shed tears when the school management is sending students back home for school fees or incase a case of suspension.
She narrates that as a mother she gannered resources to improve security of students at Lira town college by fencing the school, building four domitories for boys and three for girls as well as ensuring quality diet for them over weekens..
When Sophia Rose Acen was posted to Lira town college,the school had a population of 280 students right from S.1 to S.6 between 2003-2010 bu today the school's enrollment has exponentially grown to 2180 students as by 2023 thanks to the school's cohesive administrative structure that has built confidence of parents to trust the school with their children.
