North embraces adult education
Sep 08, 2011
Communities that were affected by the two decades of the LRA war in northern Uganda have taken to learning as part of their household activity in both rural and urban areas.
By Charles Akena
Communities that were affected by the two decades of the LRA war in northern Uganda have taken to learning as part of their household activity in both rural and urban areas.
At Layibi Techo in Gulu municipality, Emmanuel Ojok, 55, a retired banker, has turned a room in his home into a learning centre for his neighbours and others who did not have the opportunity to attain formal education.
“Education is a very important factor in a person’s life. It helps one make decisions from an informed point of view,†Ojok noted.
“That is why I offered part of my house to the people so that they can receive literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE),†he added.
Ojok’s gesture is similar to that of communities in Gulu district that have offered land for the establishment of community learning centres. A total of 33 learning centres have been established where children and adults are taking literacy lessons.
“I didn’t attend school and I feel betrayed because my father had the means to educate me. My father had the money and several herd of cattle, but he valued animals more than education,†Ruffina Acan said.
Acan is in her mid-50s and hails from Acut Omer village in Paicho sub-county, Gulu district.
Although she never had formal education, Acan trained as a traditional birth attendant. This was in 2002 when she was living in Tegot Atto internally displaced people’s camp.
Acan is also among the 68 adults taking LABE programme in Acut Omer village where they were being taught to write, read and solve mathematical problems.
The programme will last two years.
Acan, who said she can now read, write and do some basic arithmetic, boasted that she is able to record the bio-data of the children she delivers.
The LABE programme officer for Gulu, Joy Oroma, noted that since its inception, 1,439 people had undergone the functional adult literacy programme.
“The programme is encouraging because we are seeing more people enrolling. We also have community-based learning programmes for children to help them conceptualise local languages,†she said.
Oroma further said they were overwhelmed by the number of adults registering for the programme. She, however, hoped that next year they will have even more opportunities for people to study.
According to a survey, only 47% of people in northern Uganda can read and write.
Communities that were affected by the two decades of the LRA war in northern Uganda have taken to learning as part of their household activity in both rural and urban areas.
At Layibi Techo in Gulu municipality, Emmanuel Ojok, 55, a retired banker, has turned a room in his home into a learning centre for his neighbours and others who did not have the opportunity to attain formal education.
“Education is a very important factor in a person’s life. It helps one make decisions from an informed point of view,†Ojok noted.
“That is why I offered part of my house to the people so that they can receive literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE),†he added.
Ojok’s gesture is similar to that of communities in Gulu district that have offered land for the establishment of community learning centres. A total of 33 learning centres have been established where children and adults are taking literacy lessons.
“I didn’t attend school and I feel betrayed because my father had the means to educate me. My father had the money and several herd of cattle, but he valued animals more than education,†Ruffina Acan said.
Acan is in her mid-50s and hails from Acut Omer village in Paicho sub-county, Gulu district.
Although she never had formal education, Acan trained as a traditional birth attendant. This was in 2002 when she was living in Tegot Atto internally displaced people’s camp.
Acan is also among the 68 adults taking LABE programme in Acut Omer village where they were being taught to write, read and solve mathematical problems.
The programme will last two years.
Acan, who said she can now read, write and do some basic arithmetic, boasted that she is able to record the bio-data of the children she delivers.
The LABE programme officer for Gulu, Joy Oroma, noted that since its inception, 1,439 people had undergone the functional adult literacy programme.
“The programme is encouraging because we are seeing more people enrolling. We also have community-based learning programmes for children to help them conceptualise local languages,†she said.
Oroma further said they were overwhelmed by the number of adults registering for the programme. She, however, hoped that next year they will have even more opportunities for people to study.
According to a survey, only 47% of people in northern Uganda can read and write.