The aim of the activity was to compile gender disaggregated data on
the Uganda education system for FAWEU use. The data has been used in
advocacy for and has resulted into the placement of more females in
high ranking education positions as a well as in increased investment
in female education.
Strategic Resource Planning (SRP) Study for Girls’ Education
A Strategic Resource Planning (SRP) Study for Girls’ Education
under the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Education Strategic
Investment Plan (ESIP) 1997-2003,was undertaken jointly by FAWEU and
MoES to recommend reforms an targets in options for attaining
schooling for All in Uganda, and consequently adress the gender gap in
education, and effort towards “Education For All” (EFA).
The SRP Study aimed at: Examining the constraints to participatory,
persistence and performance of girls; Identify policy options which
would equalise and universalise the enrollment of all children at
primary level, without compromising quality; and to investigate the
resource implications of such policies.
The findings of the study were disseminated at a workshop held at
Hotel Equatorial, Kampala on 25th February 2000 and teh following
policy options were proposed:
- Improving teachers’ conditions of service (especially women)
- Improving nutrition and health care
- Reducing the opportunity cost of schooling
- Reducing sexual harassment and school-girl pregnancy
- Reducing incidences of school-girl marriage
- Setting-up a gender promotion section in the MoES
FAWEU conducted a baseline survey on corporal punishment in Ugandan
schools with the aim of finding out the effects of corporal punishment
on education; why, despite the ban by the Ministry of Education, many
schools continued to use it, what alternative forms of ensuring
discipline in schools there are, and how they could be popularized.
The study was undertaken in six (6) districts in early 2000.
The results of the study have contributed to the implementation of
a policy by the Ministry of Education that bans corporal punishment in
school; increased vigilance by stakeholders in ensuring that corporal
punishment is no more; and also in ensuring that the culprits
(teachers) are brought to book.
School Pregnancy and Dropout
Research on advocating for an Educational Policy on School
Pregnancy and Drop out in Uganda was undertaken by FAWEU between
July-September, 1999. The aim of the project was to gather systematic
baseline data and information on school girl pregnancy The sample area
comprised of three large cities in Uganda, namely: Jinja, Kampala and
Mbale, and four districts representative of the regions, Kalangala
(Central), Busia (East), Moroto (North) and Kisoro (West).
The findings from the study revealed that school administrators
were not giving help to girls who conceive while at school, mainly
because they learn of it after the victims have left school. The study
in addition found that there was moral support from peers and material
support form parents.
The study recommended that school administrations should support
dropouts due to pregnancy through guidance and counselling, and giving
them another chance to go back to school. It also recommended that
moral support from peers should involve encouragement, being
understanding and friendly, not to isolate the victims, and to make
frequent visits to them.
The communities in which the dropouts stay should also provide
counselling services, encouraging the victims to return to school,
advise parents not to be too harsh, and provide some financial and
material assistance. While parents should accept the dropouts; take
them back to school and provide them with basic necessitates.
