Home learning materials receive more support

May 28, 2020

School closure in Uganda has affected 15 million learners, who had been enrolled in over 70,000 schools and institutions.

EDUCATION 

To support children learning from home during school closure, Standard Chartered Bank has donated US$300,000 (Ugx 1,110,000,000) to UNICEF programmes.

"This funding will focus on activities such as remote education via television, radio, online and mobile platforms and child protection measures including alternative care arrangements and family tracing services for children separated from their families due to COCID-19." Albert Saltson, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Uganda said at the handover in Kampala.

"The fund will also help in the training of social workers to conduct home visits to vulnerable children for mental health support, and alternative care and protection services for children of parents or caregivers affected by COVI-19," Saltson said.

He added that the bank is supporting communities that have supported its existence of 108 years. 

The UNICEF Country Representative, Dr. Doreen Mulenga, who received the donation on behalf of UNICEF highlighted the children's needs.

"Globally, 1.3 billion children are affected by school closure. School closure in Uganda has affected 15 million learners, who had been enrolled in over 70,000 schools and institutions. Out of the 15 million, 12.7 million are enrolled in primary and secondary schools," she said.  

"As the crisis escalates, children confined at home are not only missing out on education but also on school meals and essential health and social protection services," Mulenga noted.

She added that the fund will go a long way to meet the needs articulated in the ministry of education Covid-19 response plan within which one of them is to utilize digital means, TV, radio and self-learning materials to support the continuity of learning.

The intent is that these self-learning materials reach even those children who do not have access to any other means of learning.

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