Back to School Hurdles: The Impact on Parents, Students and Teachers

After a world record-breaking 83-week school shutdown, Ugandan students finally returned to their classrooms on January 10th, 2022. Everyone is feeling hopeful seeing schools and businesses reopening; but, the reality is, life will never be the same and the challenges ahead are many.

Head Teacher, Mr. Ibrahim Ssekamate, at one of our partner secondary schools called Royal College Namugongo, spoke with Executive Director, Pamela Brannon, and shared his reflections on the new academic year. He explained that the majority of schools are facing 3 major hurdles: the impact on guardians; on students and on teachers.

GUARDIANS

First, parents were relieved when the announcement came that schools were reopening; but the timing put a squeeze on most guardians. In years past (pre-Covid), schools opened for the new academic year in early February. This gave families time after the holidays to save the money needed to get their kids back to school with all their requirements. An earlier than ever reopening presented parents with increased pressure – especially given that so many have been unable to save at all during the pandemic. Having to choose between school fees or putting food on the table means that many families will be forced to keep their kids at home.

STUDENTS

For students, the return to school is mostly welcome – but also frought with obstacles. Without the support of their teachers, many students have lost the ability to read, write and speak in English – the primary language taught at schools. Nevertheless, students were automatically promoted at the start of the new year creating significant learning gaps. Lunch breaks are 15 minutes in many schools as students cram to catch up two lost years.

On the otherhand, many older students who found day labor during the lockdown refused to go back to school at all. We are counseling two older boys in our program who are resistant to return and lose the little money they are making.

And girls, throughout the pandemic, were put in deeply vulnerable situations that impacted their well-being both physically and emotionally. The rates of unwanted teenage pregnancies and STDs surged over the last two years. Without access to proper medical and financial support, many girls have given up their dreams of education and pursuing a career.

TEACHERS

Finally, teachers have resigned en masse. Many of them were forced to leave the profession because they were desperate to earn an income and support their families. At Royal College, 11 teachers out of 35 didn’t return in 2022. School management teams have been overwhelmed searching for qualified replacements. Additionally, some of the teachers who did return have demanded shorter work weeks so they can keep a second job for fear of another lockdown. Many of them also have farms they need to continue tending and refuse to give them up.

Sadly, all of these factors and more have resulted in dozens of schools across Uganda permanently closing their doors. Most of these institutions served critically vulnerable students and their opportunity to find an affordable place will be greatly diminished.

The world has changed dramatically since March 2020 and Uganda is no exception.

This school year is no doubt going to be hard in many ways. But, we have all proven we can do hard things over the last two years. Hard is not impossible.

Thanks to our loyal sponsors and supporters, we were able to deliver academic and personal requirements to help our sponsored students start the new year strong. They were so grateful and excited!