Kyenjojo district has for a long time been challenged
by poor academic performance and continuous school dropouts. According to a
baseline survey conducted by Kyenjojo NGOs and CBOs Forum (KNCF) in 2013 and
subsequent reports since then, the dropout rate between 2011 and 2013 was 8 %
while academic performance was generally poor. For example out of the
14,709 pupils who sat Primary leaving
exams (PLE) in UPE schools between the period 2011 – 2013 schools, only 669
passed in Division I, while 7,496 passed in Division II, 2,937 in Division III
and the rest, 4,085 failed.
Poor academic performance and continuous
school dropouts are attributed to mainly lack/limited parents’ support of education
programs; most parents prefer investing in farming to education either because
farming offers quicker/faster profits than education or because they lack
adequate knowledge and understanding on the benefits of education and children’s
rights to education. Other issues challenging education in Kyenjojo district
include poverty, domestic violence, child neglect, early marriages, and child
labour.
As a development
partner, KNCF with support from Independent Development Fund (IDF) through its
“Protection of the rights of Women and Children project” between January to May
2014 was able to get sixty seven (67) pupils back to school, handle and settle
100 cases of child abuse and domestic violence, and also reach and sensitize 16,835
children in 25 primary schools about their rights to education. The sensitized
children have formed 25 child rights clubs, which go around educating and sensitizing other children about their rights and responsibilities to education.
According to Mpamize Robinson a primary seven (P.7) pupil at Butunduuzi Model,
child advocacy has yielded. “We are glad
for the information on children’s rights and to be involved in this
sensitization work. We now know our rights and responsibilities to education as children. We also have been taught on
how to demand for and how to protect our rights. We hope to be listened to and
to see reduced cases of rights abuse among children” Mpamize
asserts.
In its interventions, KNCF has through these Child
Rights Clubs and women rights activists, community sensitization outreaches,
and Advocacy engagements with duty bearers at service Parish, Sub County and
District level educated and empowered the populace with knowledge and skills on
children’s rights, women’s rights and child protection. This undertaking has
led to increased awareness and consciousness on the rights of women and
children especially on the issue of education, as well as increased
participation of women and children in development initiatives and processes.
Cases of this are evident in the testimonies from the
community about the activists’ support to neglected children; for example Kebirungi Agnes an 18 years old primary six
(p6) pupil at Rwentuha Primary School in Bugaaki Sub County dropped out of
school in 2011 after her fathers’ death and mother’s failure to pay her school
fees. Because of the harsh conditions at home, Agnes sought a job as a bar
attendant and house maid. Unfortunately for her, she was impregnated and also
neglected by the man. While at the bar Agnes was met by Kaija Helen a human
rights activist who educated her on the value of education and encouraged her
to go back to school after birth. Agnes gave birth and took the baby to her
mother and later went back to school. She is now the head girl, chairperson
child rights club and one of the best performers in class. Agnes testifies that
Life at school is promising and better. She is grateful to the activist for her
counsel and support.
Another example
is of Kyaligaba a S.I student at Maddox Secondary School.
Kyaligaba was neglected by her father while in primary six. She sought help
from activists who engaged her father with little success. Looking at the
little girl’s zeal for education one activist Businge Rose encouraged her to
consider doing petty jobs after classes, weekends and holidays to raise money
for her scholastic needs. Kyaligabba agreed and Rose found her several of these
to do.
“When
I reached p6, I almost failed to continue with studies, but with counseling,
guidance and support of the activist, I did not stop schooling. I have been
able to hang on and reach S.1 and I look forward to go to university too. Doing
petty jobs and rearing chicken have enabled me to pay for my school
requirements and brought me this far.” Says Kyaligaba.
As more awareness on
children’s rights to education is created, more children are going to return to, stay in and complete school. Similarly an improvement in the parents’
support towards education programs is yet to be witnessed. These coupled with
other interventions by Kyenjojo District Local Government, will definitely
foster improved academic performance and address the historical challenge of
school dropouts in Kyenjojo district.
