Community
Based Education Intervention (CBEI) is a participatory strategy/approach aimed
at improving the teaching/learning environment of the Child at Risk (CAR) in
five primary schools of Mbale, Bulambuli, Bududa, and Manafwa. Before actualizing
the intentions of CBEI project, a participatory preliminary study was carried
out in the intended catchment areas .This project was implemented by Uganda
Women Concern Ministry (UWCM) in partnership with Stromme Foundation (SF). All
the stakeholders (the children, school management, teachers, School Management
Committees, Teacher- Parent Associations, the community and parents, the Local
leaders, the local Government, UWCM and Stromme Foundation) were involved in
all stage of the project.
Our goal
was to increase access to quality education services to 4600 children in the
five schools by 2013 through building capacity of all stakeholders, and improve
educational infrastructure development for learning/teaching environment.
Through
this intervention, 4285 children were enrolled, retained and completed school
with reduced drop out especially the girls. Academic performance increased with
better UPE results in the five schools. 57 trained local resources mobilised
and spearheaded the local collections which went towards the provision of
children’s mid-day meals. Through capacity building, there was remarkable
improved governance and management in these schools, improved collaboration and
networks among the stakeholders, promotion of children’s rights and
responsibilities with child protection. Ten teachers were trained in life skills
education and psycho-social skills which led to health and friendly handling of
children, thus improved behaviour of children.
Improving Learning/teaching classrooms: Ten apartment buildings were constructed
accommodating over 40 teachers in the five schools. This reduced late coming
and absenteeismand increased teachers’
commitment to teaching and thus improving performance. 19 classrooms were
constructed and ten renovated including provision of head teacher’s offices and
staffrooms. 12 VIP latrines were constructed to improve on sanitation in
schools. 250 desks for pupils, 35
chairs, and 35 tables for teachers were provided to improve teaching/ learning
environment in these schools. Games and sports items were provided increasing
participation of children in the extracurricular activities. Training of local resource
mobilization and introduction of community Managed Micro Finance integrated
into community Based Education Intervention increased community incomes
enabling parents and guardians to provide mid-day meals, scholastic materials,
and uniforms for children thus increasing their quality of education.