US envoy, minister Muyingo flag off books to upcountry schools

United States Ambassador to Uganda Deborah R. Malac and Primary Education State Minister Dr. John C. Muyingo flagged off two trucks to deliver to 780,000 books to school in eight districts.

Mpigi, Pallisa, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Apac, Kitgum, Sironko and Budaka will receive the books. Malac revealed that the books that were sent out are written in local dialects.

"It has been an incredible undertaking to produce these materials not only in English but also in 12 local languages spoken in 86 districts of Uganda.  Thousands of teachers in grade one to four, trained with U.S. assistance, will now be able to teach reading in English and in local languages with greater ease and confidence," she said.

Books aside, Malac said human resource in schools across the country should be taken seriously.

"But ensuring books are available to schools is not enough.  Schools must have adequate numbers of qualified teachers in the classrooms.  I hope that the Ministry of Education will continue to strengthen teacher training in early-grade reading."

The books are part of USAID/Uganda School Health and Reading Program and USAID/Uganda Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity.

The early grade reading program of the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports is implemented with support from the USAID/Uganda School Health and Reading Program, the USAID/Uganda Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity and the Global Partnership for Education Uganda Teacher and School Effectiveness Project.  

The two USAID programs (both implemented by RTI International) partner with the education ministry to increase government capacity to deliver early grade literacy.

Muyingo was thankful for the generous gesture.

"We are grateful to USAID and commend RTI International who through two programs: School Health and Reading and Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity are supporting our efforts  to improve reading which is a foundation for all learning,"