Early Childhood Development

At least 72 Government-supported primary schools in 32 districts across the country have been selected to receive 43,503 textbooks, with the aim of improving literacy competence among learners. 

The textbooks, slated to benefit 90,000 pupils in the aforementioned UPE schools, include English pupil books, early grade reading teacher’s guides and supplementary readers.

The books were distributed to various schools within rural settings.

Addressing journalists at their offices in Kampala in June 2024, Moses Otai , the country director ChildFund International, emphasised that whereas mastering the basics of reading in lower primary is crucial, many children are still struggling to achieve this, hindering their overall learning experiences. 

The issue was highlighted by the last UWEZO survey conducted in 2021, which revealed that 55 percent of grade 3 learners and 35 percent of grade 4 learners could not read.

“The biggest challenge the country is facing as far as education is concerned is the quality of education, facilities, overcrowding of learners in some schools and lack of reading and instructional materials,” Moses said. 

From left to right: Moses, Chege and Wahome (from Longhorn Publishers)  pen their signatures on a dummy to mark the launch of the partnership.

It is against this background that ChildFund International in partnership with Longhorn Publishers, has moved to provide 43,504 textbooks, worth sh553m to 90,000 learners.

According to Moses, they will focus on public schools in 32 districts categorised as hard-to- reach such as Kwania, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Agago, Obongi, Bulambuli, Amuria and Kaberamaido.

Other districts include: Katakwi, Sironko, Butaleja, Kibuku, Budaka, Butebo, Paliisa, Busia, Serere and Mayuge, among others. 

As of May 31, 2024, Uganda has about 9.9 million learners in primary level. According to data uploaded on the Ministry of Education Management Information Systems, 8.4 million of these learners are in government aided schools.

Children from Mbale display some of the books distributed to their district.

ChildFund will provide government-approved materials for printing and use in early grade reading, facilitate the distribution of the books through local leaders, assess and train teachers in early grade instruction. 

Longhorn Publishers, on the other hand, will facilitate the printing of the materials and participate in periodic project review meetings, among others.

Charles Sseruwu, the country manager of Longhorn Publishers, said all the textbooks they are slated to distribute to pupils are approved and accredited by the National Curriculum Development Centre.

Wahome from Longhorn Publishers hands over a batch to JIACOFE’s program manager, Henry Bazibu

“We strive to promote literacy and bring the joy of reading to learners. Every book we distribute is a step towards a more literature, informed and empowered community process,” Charles added. 

Moses said each school will receive at least four teachers guides and 20 learners’ books for English per class. 

Chege Ngugi, the Africa Regional Director at ChildFund International, said the books would be given to pupils from Primary One to Primary Four, where foundational skills are developed.