Reading has the power to transform people from all walks of life. We consume words constantly, creating meaning, expanding our imaginations, and understanding of the world around us. For many, the ability to read is not limited to a skill, but rather a key part of life—it forms the foundation for understanding, communication, and personal identity.
March 6th marks the annual World Book Day, a wonderful celebration of the joy and importance of reading. On this day, we reflect on how literature and literacy can change lives, and we take a moment to recognise the importance of access to education for all.
Literacy challenges in Uganda
In many parts of the world, education remains inaccessible to large portions of the population. Approximately 754 million adults are illiterate globally, and this issue is closely linked to the economic status of the countries they come from. Literacy creates opportunities for learning, growth, and success, which is why understanding the barriers is so important.
Education in Uganda faces numerous challenges and affects the lives of many children and families. In 1997, the Ugandan government implemented a Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy that allowed children to attend school without paying fees. This resulted in a dramatic increase in enrollment rates, from about 65% in the early 1990s to over 90% a few years later. The policy was intended to make primary education more accessible and provide free education to all. While this policy increased enrollment, it also led to a higher teacher-to-student ratio, overcrowded classrooms, under trained and underpaid teachers. The policy paid little attention to the quality of the schooling, with literacy rates declining and drop out rates increasing. In 2012, English pass rates were only 38% for 10-16-year-olds attending school.
While UPE is still intact today, along with Universal Secondary Education (USE) established in 2007, the quality of these “free” schools is still declining and families are faced with mandatory, often randomised, payments for uniforms, textbooks, school lunches, and exam registration fees, meaning school is still inaccessible for many. It is because of the low quality education of public schools that families often are obligated to send their children to private schools which are significantly more expensive. In 2023, the World Bank claimed 54% of adults in sub-Saharan Africa rank the issue of paying school fees higher than medical bills and other expenses.
The outcome of these policies affects many children and creates a lack of education and literacy skills, which are crucial to the personal development of the child, as well as the societal and economic development of their communities. When children have access to education and literacy, they have access to sustain a livelihood and be change makers in their communities.
What change looks like
The good news is there has been tremendous improvement and progress. In Uganda, 69% of adults (aged 15+) were literate in 2016, and this percentage increased to 81% by 2022. This is an outcome of collective awareness of this literacy issue and the work of many support services. One example of this collaboration is the CapED programme, a UNESCO initiative that focuses on reinforcing education standards, life skills, and teacher quality across 20 countries in least developed regions.
This shift has been driven by a greater emphasis on teacher training, community-based learning programmes, and ensuring that education is more inclusive and accessible to all children.
At Kids Club Kampala, we are committed to being a direct part of the change. Our Educating Programme provides free schooling to children who would otherwise lack access. Over the past 16 years, we have provided both education and daily meals to over 1,330 children, creating brighter futures. Their education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Additionally, we’ve seen the positive impact of our community library at our education centre in Katanga. This centre provides books for the greater community and is an encouraging space for people of all ages to come and read. It has become a valuable resource for learning and personal growth and we are so thrilled to see it being used.
How to keep change going
If positive change is possible, how do we keep it going? The answer lies in holistic, sustainable support. It costs just £850 per year for a child to attend our encouraging education project, where they receive access to a regular, quality education. Additionally, through our child sponsorship project, for just £28 a month, you can sponsor a child and help them continue their journey toward a brighter future.
Every contribution helps ensure that these children have access to the resources and opportunities they need to break the cycle of poverty and reach their full potential. Let’s celebrate the power of reading together this World Book Day, and remember the gift that is literacy.
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