The story of St. Zoe Secondary & Vocational School
Founder (1945-2020)
St. Zoe Secondary & Vocational School was founded in 1995 by Rev. Fr. John Mary Ssekandi, a Catholic priest with a passionate vision to provide quality education that combines academic excellence with practical skills training for the youth of Mubende District.
Fr. Ssekandi recognized that many young people in the area were dropping out of school without marketable skills. He dreamed of an institution that would not only prepare students for higher education but also equip them with vocational skills for self-employment and community development.
St. Zoe School was established with just 28 students and 4 teachers in a temporary structure. The school began as a purely secondary institution offering O-Level education.
The first cohort of students sat for UCE examinations with a 92% pass rate. The school gained recognition in Mubende District for academic excellence.
Responding to community needs, the school introduced vocational programs in Agriculture and Tailoring. Enrollment grew to 200 students.
The school moved to its current location in Kiyuni Cell, with permanent classrooms, workshops, and a chapel. ICT and Carpentry programs were added.
Advanced Level secondary education was introduced, allowing students to complete their full secondary cycle at St. Zoe.
The school celebrated 25 years of excellence with over 1,000 alumni. Despite the passing of Founder Fr. Ssekandi, his vision continues to thrive.
St. Zoe now serves over 500 students with 30+ teachers, offering 15 vocational courses and maintaining a 98% pass rate in national examinations.