EDITOR’S COMMENT: UPE Programme Exemplary

Dec 09, 2002

EDUCATION ministers in Africa last week gathered in Tanzania to chart the new course of education on the continent.

EDUCATION ministers in Africa last week gathered in Tanzania to chart the new course of education on the continent. Behind the meeting was the theme of Education For All (EFA) by 2015. What a huge task for Africa, a continent with limited resources. There are many obstacles to the achievement of EFA, like gender disparity, lack of human and financial resources and HIV/AIDS. EFA is not just about an inclusive and relevant education system. It encompasses adult and functional literacy, vocational and technical training, girls’ enrolment, quality of education and teachers. Uganda has done very well in terms of basic education through the Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme. Indeed, it has often been highlighted by donor agencies as a success story. Enrolment now stands at seven million, compared to two million, seven hundred thousand pupils in 1997.
However, Uganda is still far from achieving the goals of EFA. For it is not enough to have high enrolment at the primary level when other levels are lacking. The Government, teachers, parents, learners and other stakeholders must work together, if EFA is to be achieved in Uganda. Education is no longer the sole responsibility of the Government. It is a matter of national duty. For unless EFA is achieved, let’s forget about economic development. Without EFA, diseases that stem from ignorance shall never be eradicated. EFA is therefore the responsibility of us all. Ends

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