Children and youth of school going age constitute 50% (785,000) of the refugee and asylum seeker population in Uganda. Data indicates that 192,000 of the population constitutes the pre-school age cohort (3-5 years), 371,000 primary age cohort (6-12 years) and 224,000 secondary school age cohort (13-17 years). Given this population profile, education is a critical tool for protection and solutions for refugees and a priority of the operation. As schools closed in March 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, gross enrolment rates at national level were 43% in Early Childhood Education (ECD), 88% in primary and 14 % in secondary. In the South Sudanese situation, gross enrolment rates were 51% in ECD, 85% in primary and 17% in secondary. In the DRC situation, the gross enrolment rates were 41% in ECD, 92% in Primary and 7% in secondary. In the Burundi situation and others, the enrolment rates were 33% in ECD, 105% in primary and 11% in secondary. For the urban 3,900 (2,000 males and 1,900 females) had been recorded as enrolled.
Despite these school closures in 2021, UNHCR and Partners ensured continuity of learning through initiatives such as small group community learning, distribution of home learning materials, radio teaching lessons and use of digital devices pre-installed with learning content from the Kolibri platform. By the last quarter of 2021, some 190,000 learners (42% of the enrolment target) were being reached through these remote learning approaches. Scholastic and learning materials were distributed to support learners at home. Teachers and caregivers were recruited, remunerated, trained to support leaning. Uninterrupted payment of their salaries made a positive impact on teacher motivation, helping mitigate absenteeism. Provision of appropriate and emergency Menstrual hygiene materials was ensured. Deliberate efforts were undertaken by UNHCR and partners to ensure all the learning happens in a safe environment to minimise the spread of COVID-19 through Provision of adequate Personal protective equipment (PPE) to learners and teachers, Adequate hygiene management through handwashing and sanitising; as well as strengthened COVID-19 preventive communications in schools.
Efforts were made to prepare schools for subsequent full- reopening. Key interventions conducted included conducting emergency repairs on damaged school furniture and infrastructure, mobilisation of teachers to get vaccinated (62% fully vaccinated currently), capacity building trainings for teachers with special focus on COVID-19 prevention, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), pedagogy, lower secondary school curriculum, sports for protection and general equipping with the required supplies especially for COVID-19 prevention were done. Selected low-key infrastructure expansion mainly undertaken through operations and UNHCR directly were also conducted to ensure improved safe learning and play environment.
On system strengthening, there was commendable progress in integrating the Education Response Plan (ERP) into district and national public planning, to ensure a more coordinated and effective response. All the 12 districts (except for Kampala) approved district ERP plans reflecting locally adapted budgets based on realistic and achievable targets in these locations