PIC: Jacob Opolot (seated) chats with Tweheyo and others durng the workshop
The meeting was organised by Build Africa, a Non-Governmental Organisation that works towards improving access to quality primary education in rural Africa, with current projects focused in Uganda and other countries within East Africa.
Anselm Wandega, the country director of Build Africa, urged parents to participate in monitoring children's performance in schools and to continue supporting school feeding, especially by provision of lunch.
Despite great progress of the UPE programme with some indicators such as increase in enrollment rate of pupils over the years, it has equally faced a number of challenges that have affected its operational efficiency.
(Left-right) Tweheyo, Wandega and Gawaya Tegule chats during the workshop
Frederick Mwesigye, the executive director of the Forum for Education NGOs in Uganda, decried the fact that the education ministry has failed to satisfactorily cater for children with special needs and that it has made such children drop out of school. He says People with Disabilities can be productive people in society if they rendered the necessary help and skills.
Connie Nakayenze Galiwango, the Mbale district Woman Member of Parliament and the former chairperson of the education committee at Parliament, said the education sector needs ample funding for it to sort out its challenges.
"As long as the Government does not prioritise education in its budget, the education system is still lagging behind. There are many activities in schools which need money to be run. The inspectors and teachers need facilitation to do their job," she said.
On the other hand, Opolot Jacob, the current chairperson of the education committee of Parliament and also MP for Pallisa County, said reviewing the curriculum and coming up with a new one would only be useful if the Government found ways of using it to address development goals. He says any curriculum which build a holistic person is key to any society.