Tekera Primary School opened on 21st May 2007 with 160 students. Enrolment for 2009 was 300 students. The new school is the result of a joint venture between St. Francis Primary School, Lwega, and Tekera Resource Centre. St Francis School had been operating in Tekera/Lwega since 1986 under the leadership of headmaster Francis Kiweewa. St Francis School had no buildings and classes were conducted under trees, which meant that all the classes were often taught together. Mr. Kiweewa and TRC agreed to work together to develop a new permanent school for the children of the local community. There is no boarding section to insure the school is for local children only. Mr. Kiweewa has closed St Francis Primary School and now is a director of TRC.

On February 2, 2009, when the children began their new school year, they returned to a completed full primary school. This marked the beginning of P7, the final year of primary education. The newly completed second school was donated by Irish Aid of Ireland and Cartbridge Capital/Christopher Ryckman of Connecticut, USA. along with support from several other people. Included in the constructed was a new latrine for the girls, a full water retention system and solar power for the office and library. Two local carpenters constructed the student’s desks plus install shelving in the classrooms and library. The original 2 room school which has been fully renovated, will now house two nursery classes.

Pupils sit the Primary Level Certificate (PLE) exam at the end of P7 to complete their primary education. Under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) initiative, all primary education in Uganda is free of charge but many parents prefer to send their children to private schools as the standard is often better. Also, many UPE schools are too far for many children in villages. Only 55% of school aged children attend Primary School in Uganda, despite the free fees initiative. The primary school curriculum is very intensive which could be a reason for the high drop-out rate. Another serious problem with the UPE (government run schools) is the high absenteeism of teachers. It was recorded that in 2007, teachers missed 30% of class time in Uganda. There is no supply teacher force to compensate for the lost time so children are forced to study on their own during these times.

Tekera Primary School is classified as a private school as it is not run by the state but the school fees charged are small, even by local standards. From nursery to P7 the fees are between 10,000 to 20,000 UGX per term. This covers approximately 20% of the funds required to run the school. In spite of the very low cost to parents/guardians, approximately 15% of students receive an education at a reduced cost or for nothing due to the inability to pay. Others pay with produce like beans or chickens. The "Sponsor-a-Teacher" programme allows us to be able to assist the needy students. Porridge is also provided every school day since many children from villages go to school without breakfast or lunch. This programme is supported by donations, currently from East Plains United Church of Burlington, On.
A spare teacher is able to cover for any teacher in the event of an illness and we also have an experience retired teacher nearby, willing and able to teach whenever needed.

The teachers have been kept busy settling the children into their new school and organizing the classrooms, schemes of work, parent teacher association and after school activities. Thanks to volunteers, the school has also been able to purchase a full set of curriculum text books, school equipment and drums. Late 2008, Berrian Elementary School in Quincy, Illinois donated 32 alphasmart computers. The alphasmart is a basic computer run by 3 AA batteries, perfect for a village with no electricity. These will assist students in English while providing basic computer knowledge. The teachers have been provided instruction on computers so this knowledge can be passed on.

Looking forward, what will be necessary will be the availability of scholarship or funding for graduates of P7. Most families have no hope of ever being able to provide funding for their children to attend secondary school. In some cases, they can afford only one so the other children in the family lose that opportunity. We have started a grant sponsorship programme whereby donations can be made to help fund secondary school for those that cannot afford the high cost and do well in school. The students will be monitored each semester and the results forwarded to the sponsor. There will be an additional pool that excess funds will be placed to assist those students who do not have sponsors but qualify for secondary school.