Successful practical work in challenging circumstances: Lessons to be learned from Uganda

This article is written in support of the argument that to encourage practical work in chemistry in schools where previously little had taken place, teachers should be taught basic workshop skills that they can use to safely improvise equipment suitable for use in their own school environment. These skills include cutting and bending glass tubing, inserting tubing through bungs and soldering electrical components. With these skills, teachers can make equipment to prepare gases, make spirit burners, and complete electrical connections. By empowering the teachers with these skills, they can train enthusiastic students to assist as technicians and with the teachers, visit other schools to pass on these skills. This process will compliment any government initiatives in this field of professional development. Prior to our visit to Uganda we anticipated that there could be issues with equipment and laboratory services but were surprised by the poor quality of the chemicals we found in the schools. This would make teaching practical chemistry a challenge even with the right equipment. [AJCE, 3(1), January 2013]