January 24th marks the UN’s International Day of Education. It’s a day to recognize both the progress we’ve made in closing the gap on global education, and the work that needs to be done to ensure everyone has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education. In 2023 we commemorate the fifth International Day of Education under the theme “to invest in people, prioritize education”.
Access to quality education has long been recognized as both
a fundamental human right and as essential for reducing poverty, inequality and
achieving other development goals. Sustainable development goal #4(Quality
Education)4 which aims at ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education
and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
In Uganda, around 1 in 10 schoolchildren
did not report back to school in January 2022 after schools were closed for two
years. (UNICEF 2020) Primary school dropout rate is 45% but this rate is much
higher amongst girls.
Uganda faces major challenges in providing quality and
accessible basic education to children and adolescents. Child marriage,
teenage pregnancy, abuse at schools and school fees keep many teens, especially
girls, out of secondary schools. Costs associated with education account for 6
out of 10 people leaving school, and pregnancy accounts for 8 per cent of girls
who left school.
The Uganda
National Household Survey 2019/2020 report found that the main
reason for six in every ten persons who had left school was the high costs
associated with education. During the Covid 19 lockdown many parents lost their
jobs and some had major setbacks in their business which reduced household
incomes. Parents could not afford taking back their children to school after
the lock down hence some of the children resorted to working in mines, vending
fruits and working on farms to support their families. This also led to an
increase in the cases of child labor in the country.
In as much as these issues are documented, and
authorities at both national and local government levels are aware of them,
there is no evidence that concrete steps are being taken to address them.
At Joy for Children we believe every child has a right to
learn and access quality services to fulfill their potential. Education enables gainful employment opportunities and
empowers boys and girls to participate in decision-making to build a better
future for themselves and their communities. As we commemorate the International
Day of Education, It is imperative that the government
of Uganda starts to juggle around with a strategy to improve the compulsory and
free education by deliberately including quality and access for all.
Support us today to keep children in school by donating on:
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/delay-marriage-promote-schooling/
