Young people should continue taking opportunities and use every chance to advocate for better education policies in Uganda says Nancy Ongom
COVID19’s impact on Education in Uganda.
The impact of COVID 19 on education in Uganda has been devastating. It has affected students’ general mental health and development. As a result, Instances of violence against children and teenage pregnancies have increased. The total closure of schools has put economic strains on teachers with no other sources of income
Last year in October, the Uganda government announced a plan for reopening schools. The plan began with the candidate classes and gave hope to so many young girls who had given up on education.
Aber Angel’s Story.
13 year old Aber Angel, a P.7 candidate at Pece P.7 school Gulu, is overjoyed to have the opportunity to sit for her PLE exams this March. She was so excited by the Government’s decision to allow other classes to start resuming school. During the lockdown, she was worried that all her friends in the semi candidate classes would have become victims of teenage pregnancies as a result of the lockdown. The reopening of schools have relieved her of this worry.
Her only focus now is to pass her exams and join the best secondary school in the country on a scholarship. She wants to realise her dream of becoming a lawyer. She wants to continue encouraging fellow young girls to chase their dreams even amidst difficult situations.
Lagum Blessings Babra’s Story.
Lagum Blessings Babra is a Senior 1 student of St. John Paul II College Gulu. She had only studied in secondary school briefly in the academic year 2020 before it was interrupted with the lockdown. She can’t wait to go back to school and resume her studies since she wasn’t able to study from home.
Reopening educational institutions in Uganda.
As an activist, I think the Uganda government’s decision to start reopening schools for in-person classes (with the exception of younger Children in lower primary and elementary school) is exciting. E-learning isn’t feasible for most children from lower socio-economic backgrounds, the majority of whom ended up missing valuable lessons for the entire 2020 academic year. Reopening schools has given them hope.
Advocating for change in education.
As someone who enjoys engaging with young adolescence and is passionate about the education system especially sex-ed in schools, I believe that young people should continue taking opportunities and use every chance to advocate for better educational policies.
It is essential that young people are in position to influence policy makers into making policies that work for all and better improve our Education system.”
Nancy Ongom
Feature Image by Tamanna Rumee on Unsplash
