UNICEF: Mobile classrooms give pastoral children hope in Uganda

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/uganda_52127.html

KOMARET, Uganda, 14 December 2009 Its just after dawn in Ugandas northeastern Moroto District. Although its still quite early, queues of children are flocking into the Namatwae Alternative Basic Education for Karamoja (ABEK) centre.

Namatwae is one of 111 ABEK centres established in Moroto District to enable Karamoja children realize their right to basic education. As a pastoral community, lifestyles and economic activity in the Karamajong have revolved around livestock for generations.

The pastoral nature of the community meant that they regularly move from place to place, so having a school in one place did not quite fit with the lifestyle of the people, said Samuel Loduk, who is in charge of monitoring and supervising ABEK learning centres in Nadunget.

UNICEF supports the mobile learning centres with instructional materials contained in the 'school-in-a-box', as well as recreational kits containing various materials for sport and play.

UNICEF has also supported the training of ABEK instructors and facilitators, all of whom hail from within the community. Instruction at the centres integrates literacy and numeracy, based on manuals developed in both English and the local NgaKarimojong language.

School is very important, said Mr. Lowuya. Education is the light.

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Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Uganda
• Komaret
• mobile
• classrooms
• school
• Namatwae
• ABEK