International Day of Education will be celebrated on 24 January 2024 for the 6th year since its creation in 2019. This year's theme is “learning for lasting peace”.
Uganda will join alongside other members of the United Nations to commemorate this day. Last year Dr. M. Munir A. Safieldin spoke at the National Celebration of the International Day of Education on behalf of the Education Development Partners Group (EDPG) (UNICEF, 2023). Safieldin is the UNICEF representative to the Republic of Uganda.
“With the declaration of Universal Primary Education in 1997 and Universal Secondary Education in 2008, Uganda has made a high-level political commitment to investing in people. Parents have responded with great enthusiasm; every year more than 2.2 million children are voluntarily enrolled by their parents in primary one. This is good news. However, only one-third of those enrolled in primary grade one complete a full cycle of primary education.”
- Dr M. Munir A. Safieldin
Our Education Programme is a lifeline to so many children from Kampala’s slums who would otherwise have no opportunity to have an education.
We believe that all children have the right to have a good education, and that education is vital to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Just last year 116 children were enrolled on our Early Childhood Development (ECD) project, receiving free early years education, and ensuring they receive a hot meal and nutritious snack. The children made great progress not only with their academic results but also social skills and physical development. Thanks to our child sponsors we also had 13 new children enrolled onto the School Sponsorship programme in 2023, meaning 168 children have the opportunity to attend school with all of the resources they need. We’re also happy to say 12 sponsored children have successfully graduated from the programme in 2023.
You can find out more about our Encouraging Education Programme on our webpage here.
It is important that not only do children have access to a quality education, but also that they come to school best equipped to learn. In May 2023 Daniel’s* teacher noticed that he was often sleeping during class. After a home visit, we discovered that Daniel and his family were living off just one meal per day and that he would come to school on an empty stomach.
Daniel was given extra sets of clothes and a snack is now always provided for him at the centre before lessons begin. We have already seen a great improvement in his focus in class and look forward to continuing to support Daniel with his education.
As we celebrate the 6th International Day of Education we are also celebrating the 15 year anniversary of Kids Club Kampala!
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