In Uganda, ensuring that every child has access to quality education remains a significant challenge, particularly in government schools where overcrowding is common. A critical factor contributing to this issue is the lack of adequate furniture in classrooms. Many pupils struggle to learn effectively amid cramped conditions, which can lead to lower attendance rates.
In 2023, we took an important step toward addressing this issue at Kawempe Mbogo Muslim Primary School by providing 40 desks to the school. This initiative was part of our ongoing commitment to improving access to quality education for children in Uganda.
With an enrollment of 1,130 pupils, exceeding the ideal capacity of 965 many of these pupils are orphans, vulnerable children, or those with disabilities. The desk-to-pupil ratio was a staggering one desk for every seven pupils, making effective learning nearly impossible.
Since the introduction of the new desks, the situation has drastically improved. “The support we received has transformed our classroom dynamics,” shared Senyunja Jamil, the head teacher of the school. “We have reduced the ratio to a much more manageable one with one desk shared by three pupils.” This change has not only alleviated congestion but has also created an environment conducive to learning, particularly for children with disabilities.
A year later, we are happy to report that the performance of pupils has improved significantly. With comfortable seating, pupils are able to engage more fully in their lessons. This has led to increased attendance and retention, with a marked rise in learning outcomes.
At AFFCAD, we remain steadfast in ensuring that ALL children in Uganda have access to quality education. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn and thrive in a supportive environment. With your continued support, we are confident that we can make a lasting impact on the lives of many more young learners.
