Uganda     Population (approx.) 20 million   Literacy Statistics Overall: 61.8% Male: 73.7% Female: 50.2%   GNP Per Capita (US Dollars) $1,030     Source: The World Bank Development Indicators, 1996; CIA World Fact Book 1997

Country Report presented by Alice Nankya Ndidde

The major aim of the Experimental Pilot Project on Literacy and Integrated Participatory Learning implemented in the Mpigi district of Uganda is to promote literacy in rural areas by equipping learners with reading and writing skills, at the same time enabling them to use the acquired skills for personal, family and community development. It is a combined project involving a CBO called Manze Rural Development Association, the Catholic Secretariat, and the Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (IACE) based at Makerere University. Through a continuous interaction between the literate members of the community, the intended learners, the literacy teachers and the IACE staff and students, the project is experimenting with new methodologies, techniques, and materials before they are adopted in other parts of the country. The projects are community run, while the Institute's (IACE) role is mainly facilitative and advisory. Local language materials have been generated based on the experiences of the community and include a learners' book, a literacy workers guide to using the learners' book, posters, and a pamphlet on characteristics of adult learners. The project also provides an opportunity for university students to acquire hands on practice and training in literacy work.

The project faces challenges in testing several approaches and materials without confusing the learner, and also in sustaining literacy workers' enthusiasm for their voluntary, unpaid labor. It is hoped that as the learners acquire more skill, they will be encouraged to continue to write their own materials. At present, 34 literacy workers have been trained, and 250 learners (85% female,15% male, ranging from 14 to 60 years) are participating in the classes. One long-term goal is to set up literacy centers where adults would be able to study, read, and conduct discussion groups. A wide range of venues have been identified: school buildings, churches, learners' or teachers' homes.

Links to Related Web Sites

Program | Participants | Presenters | Sessions | Countries | Links

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY INSTITUTE
Graduate School of Education/University of Pennsylvania
3910 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-3111 USA
Telephone 215-898-2100 | Fax 215-898-9804 | E-mail: sltp@literacy.upenn.edu

Revised: July 6, 1998