Tell: (+256)772 888599 | Email: info@fichuganda.org | Location: Karacel Community Development Center, Akongatar-Iceme, Oyam, Northern Uganda.
In striving to build a stronger foundation for rural Uganda’s children, FICH recently conducted a comprehensive capacity-building training for its Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers and caregivers. The program focused on Uganda’s National ECD Learning Framework, equipping participants with practical tools to deliver high-quality, child-centered early education.
The training explored the framework’s core principles and provided in-depth guidance on several key areas:
- Breaking down and implementing the essential learning areas
- Structuring and interpreting meaningful daily routines
- Embracing play-based learning as a powerful tool for development
- Effective classroom management strategies
- Continuous assessment methods and tracking children’s progress
Godfrey Angole, an ECD specialist said these skills are poised to transform daily interactions in the centres, helping foster cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth from the earliest stages.
FICH operates four Child Care Centres and five ECD centres in collaboration with GRIC Africa. FICH-GRIC Uganda partners-AYDI (Arua), CFI (Lira), and DEPCOT (Kole) also operate ECD centres. This partnership is laying a solid foundation for child development in rural communities. Notably, many of these centres evolved from community learning spaces originally set up during the COVID-19 pandemic to help bridge learning gaps for disadvantaged learners. Through FICH-GRIC Uganda initiatives, they have been thoughtfully transitioned into sustainable, high-quality ECD programs that continue to serve families today.
Participants React
“We have learnt something valuable about lesson planning, and it will greatly help our teachers,” Ocutu Jacob Silver, an ECD teacher affirmed
“The training made me realise that learning areas should not be mixed up. Also, how we present ourselves to learners has to change. I feel many things will improve from our previous ways of conducting lessons,” said Dorris Acio, Teacher at Alidi ECD
“I used to prepare my lessons like for primary school, and at times we don’t consider the morning routine properly,” said Gutu Jennifer, Aloni ECD teacher
The session also included caregivers, some of whom were encountering formal, structured approaches to interacting with children in learning environments for the very first time. The group as a whole called for ongoing support and refresher training to keep building on their capacities.
Dorine Angom, Program Officer for Education, closed the training with inspiring words, urging every teacher and caregiver to put their new knowledge into practice daily at the ECD centres.
