Policies

Building Tomorrow (BT)

Context and Issue

Rural Uganda grapples with widespread poverty, leading to the exclusion of many children from formal education as they are required to contribute to their family's income. With over 400,000 out-of-school children (OOSC) in the country, Uganda faces a pressing need for educational reform, exacerbated by its historically high birth rate. Despite initiating Universal Primary Education (UPE) programs across sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, the insufficient number of schools remains a significant challenge.

Solution:

The Access to Quality Education in Rural Uganda project addresses this challenge by constructing 60 new primary schools and enhancing enrolment at 450 existing schools by 85 OOSC per school. Key activities include identifying communities lacking permanent school infrastructure, funding the construction of new schools with local community support, securing commitments from the Ugandan Ministry of Education & Sports for teacher recruitment and resources, and enrolling students within two years. Additionally, 150 Building Tomorrow Fellows, recent graduates, are placed in existing schools to bolster Head Teachers' capacity and support School Management Committees. The project aims for long-term sustainability, empowering partner communities to manage high-quality schools independently.

Impact 

Over the past five years, the project has achieved its objectives and surpassed the target number of OOSC enrolled. Building Tomorrow (BT) has demonstrated adaptability and learning, refining interventions based on ongoing experience. The successful piloting of Building Tomorrow Fellows led to the establishment of over 3,000 Community Education Volunteers to continue their work post-project. BT also enhanced its capacity for inclusive education through partnerships with Ugandan universities and the Kennedy Foundation, establishing a school-based Junior Kennedy Fellows program and incorporating the Teaching At the Right Level (TARL) instructional approach. By addressing infrastructure gaps and bolstering educational resources, BT's efforts contribute significantly to improving access and quality of education in rural Uganda, laying the groundwork for sustainable educational development in underserved communities.

Analysis