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Pupils Studying TLP

Pupils Studying TLP

Learning Paper In Uganda

Improving the quality of primary school pupil’s education is the focus of this project. As learning materials within rural schools in Uganda are extremely scarce the learning paper fulfills a valid and necessary need. Our primary aim during the first year of the project in Uganda is to establish the model at a local and district level, impacting on 100,000 children, 25,000 households and 500 teachers.

The total population of Uganda is just short of 30 million ( 28,195,754 ) 50% of which are made up of children of an age up to and including 14 years (males 7,091,763 and females 6,996,385 ). During 2007 we aim to distribute 50,000 copies of the paper throughout Uganda and in doing so will impact around 0.3% of the under 15 year old children.

TLP Teacher Training Session
Teachers Workshop

There is a long way to go for an impact at national level to be achieved, however this does not minimise the impact the paper is having on the improved quality of education which the 0.3% are experiencing. In 2008 we intend to increase the circulation closer towards 1 million copies there by attaining coverage of 6.5%.

At present there are 7 million children in Uganda who attend primary school. Only 23% of the children who start school actually complete, the highest dropout rate is in rural schools like the ones TLP is targeting. Of the 7 million who join primary school, approximately only 450,000 pupils actually sit for Primary Leaving Exams. The literacy levels amongst Primary School pupils is poor, the lowest exists in schools which have few learning resources, such as text and exercise books, pens and pencils. To improve spoken English the Ministry of Education and other stake holders are developing a concept in which the English language is taught as a subject and the other subjects are taught in the pupils’ mother tongue until Primary 3.

TLP has created a project model which can be replicated at Local and District levels throughout Uganda. During the first half of 2007 the paper is being used at a local level in eight schools in the Kassanda and Bukuya sub counties in the Mubende district, 3,500 primary school children are using it on a daily basis in their classroom lessons. The paper has had exposure to 10,000 householders and many others through natural circulation amongst community dwellers.

Some key milestones 2006 / 07

  • 18,000 copies of TLP printed in Kampala
  • 3,500 children using the paper in eight rural primary schools
  • 10,000 householders exposed to the learning paper
  • 20 teachers trained in use of TLP
  • School link established with St Georges school, Edinburgh, UK
  • Raised $50,000 corporate sponsorship in first year

End of 2007 Targets

  • 50,000 pupils using TLP
  • 20,000 households in contact with TLP
  • 500 teachers attending TLP workshops
  • 150 schools in project

2007 Objectives

  1. Working partnerships established with Mubende and Bugiri District Education Authorities. Mubende have recently agreed to such a partnership and Bugiri is currently being approached.
  2. Hold 20 teachers’ workshops over the two districts involving the Schools Inspectors and Coordinating Tutors.
  3. Print 60,000 copies of the paper allowing for spare copies at each school.
  4. Distribute paper to 150 schools over the two districts. The schools selected by DEO on basis of need for materials and support
  5. Produce a second edition for distribution in the first term of 2008. This edition will reflect the feedback provided by teachers on the first edition and will incorporate the views of the staff from the Teacher College in Mityana.
  6. School Link event incorporating teachers from St Georges School, Edinburgh, UK, visiting eight schools in Namwasa who are involved in the Local level project.
  7. Consolidate relationship with District Partners and refine the model where appropriate.
  8. Conduct an impact assessment on the papers use in the schools at the end of third term.
  9. Monitor the district operations, supporting and facilitating where required.
  10. Carry out an independent evaluation of the papers use, teachers’ feedback and District Partners roles.

Project Cost

Overall project cost for 2007 is $150,000 which funds the following cost centres

  • Printing in Kampala
  • Pens and Pencils
  • Distribution to district offices and to the schools
  • Teachers workshops
  • Facilitation, monitoring and evaluation
  • Production of new edition
  • Verification and management of project
  • Development of TLP project in Uganda