FICH Strengthens Capacity of 180 Teachers from Northern Uganda in Foundational Learning

180 teachers, including 30 head teachers, undergo capacity development at Loro Core PTC in Oyam on Foundational Learning, adapting the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) activities into standard classroom lessons. The teachers are from Oyam, Kole, and Alebtong districts with an additional 12 from Arua set to be trained towards the end of March. The training includes insight into gender-responsive pedagogy, material development and other best teaching and learning practices.

While opening the training, RDC Oyam, Sgt Shilaku James urged head teachers to teach classes of frequently absent teachers to shame and provoke them into teaching. He noted many teachers have a negative mindset, leading to late coming, absenteeism, poor syllabus coverage, and not tracking learners. “Every school must have a timetable pinned on the wall, and everyone must be busy,” he insisted, emphasizing accountability and discipline.

Chief Administrative Officer Oyam, Herbert Kitutu, told teachers to avoid unlawful absences and update their schemes of work, as Oyam performs poorly. “Oyam is not performing well,” he admitted, pressing the education department to intensify supervision and eliminate complacency among under performing teachers. “Take this training seriously to reverse our struggling results,” he added.

DEO Oyam, Adea David, cited Uwezo Uganda data showing stagnant national learning outcomes, especially in literacy, with only 1 in 10 P3 pupils able to read a P2 story. He stressed that head teachers are first-line supervisors, but some teachers are unprepared, lacking schemes of work aligned with the curriculum. He advised preparing schemes adequately, consulting various books, and not resisting head teachers’ requests to support them. He warned teachers to prioritize children’s futures, “Don’t play with the future of our children, despite challenges like overcrowded classes, few teachers, and limited desks”. He also noted that Uwezo Data indicates a slight improvement in Numeracy since 2021. He encouraged teachers and head teachers to always consult Coordinating Center Tutors (CCTs) for guidance, avoiding outdated curricula and urged CCTs to be proactive beyond annual meetings to prevent regression or stagnation in learning outcomes.

Other dignitaries present included Inspector of Schools Benson Ongom, Assistant RDC and FICH Director of Programs Patrick Ocen, CLASS ED Moses Omara, and Albert Okullu from Growth Care Uganda. These organizations, together with AYDI, are implementing partners of the Equal Foundation EmpowerED Future project, supported by Echidna Giving to strengthen Foundational Learning in Kole, Oyam, Alebtong, and Arua districts. The project shall empower 288 teachers and 24,000 learners from primary three to five from the 32 primary schools over three years.

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