Getting children back to school in Uganda

26/8/2020

The current global pandemic has created universal challenges to accessing education that millions have never faced before. This summer, children all round the world are getting ready to return to a very different school environment.

This summer also marks 30 years since the beginning of Children on the Edge. We’ve been overcoming barriers to education for the most marginalised since 1990, so for us, lockdown has been just one more hurdle to jump. The children we work with have been amongst the hardest hit, so we’ve been providing regular support and finding creative ways to get them back to school.

In slum communities surrounding Jinja, teachers from our Early Childhood Development Centres have made regular doorstep visits at each student’s household to keep education going. They have discussed learning, given out home study packs and checked in on children’s safety and wellbeing. They often found that children and their work books were dirty and advised parents on how to keep them clean.

Each teacher made lots of suggestions regarding learning activities as well as ensuring children have lots of time to play. When one mum mentioned at the start of lockdown that her son was very quiet and didn't like playing, teacher Doreen suggested she make some play materials like balls and ropes out of materials at home; this got him interested in playing again.

When interviewed, only 9% of parents said their child was struggling to work at home or was easily distracted (some of these mentioned that their child would refuse to work for anyone else except for their teacher!)

Many parents expressed gratitude to the teachers for setting work and continuing to support their children throughout lockdown. Teachers are currently putting together a second pack of work to hand out once the current packs have been completed and marked.

91% of parents reported children have been working well and they were pleased with their progress, including positive changes such as improved handwriting, reading, counting, matching and drawing.

Could you give a monthly gift to help get children back to school?

A gift of £100 (or £8 a month) can help educate a child in a safe space for a whole year and regular monthly donations ensure that we can provide reliable support through uncertain times like these. Your support can help us get over 15,000 children back to school during this pandemic. We’ll keep you updated with how your money is being spent and always use your donations to help those most in need.