NGO body to assess kids' learning skills

Apr 04, 2010

THE Uganda National NGO Forum will this month start assessing children’s learning skills. The first phase of the assessment for children aged between 6-16 years will be conducted in 27 districts.

By Conan Businge
and Charles Ariko

THE Uganda National NGO Forum will this month start assessing children’s learning skills. The first phase of the assessment for children aged between 6-16 years will be conducted in 27 districts.

Over 20,000 households will take part.
The project, codenamed Uwezo Uganda, kicks off on Friday and is expected to end on April 12.

Similar assessments will also be carried out in Kenya and Tanzania. Uwezo is a Swahili word for capability.

According to the forum’s country coordinator, Richard Ssewakiryanga, the assessment will determine children’s competencies in reading and numerical skills. It will enable parents, leaders and the public to participate and promote children’s learning.

“The initiative will give instant results which will be shared with the children and the family,” Ssewakiryanga told participants at the national training of trainers’ workshop last week.

Other results will be disseminated through the media to increase awareness and promote debate on children’s learning.

Yusuf Nsubuga, an official, said the initiative was timely since the education ministry is implementing programmes geared at improving learning.

“Uwezo is not only going to help meet the challenges of quality education. It will also promote citizen participation in children’s learning,” he said.

School enrolment in Uganda has risen from 2.5 million in 1997 to 6.5 million. Enrolment in Kenya and Tanzania has increased from 4.8 and 5.9 in 2001 to 8.4 and 8.5 to-date, respectively.

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