LAUNCH OF THE UGANDA LEARNING CAMPAIGN
USAID launched the TusomereWamu Campaign in 98 districts.
During school second term in June- August 2017, USAID in partnership with Ministry of Education and Sports implemented a Pilot Social Behaviour Change Communication Campaign in Mityana to develop content for the Uganda Learning Campaign. The pilot tested the effectiveness of various audience specific-targeted communication materials. We are proud to announce the launch of the Uganda National Learning Campaign is 98 districts to promote active parental engagement in their children's reading practice at home.
For Immediate Release
Monday February 19, 2018 Denis Kayiwa, Communications Specialist, USAID/Uganda Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity Tel: Mobile: +256 789031177 Email:
The USAID/Uganda Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity informs the media that the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Uganda Learning Campaign dubbed TusomereWamumeaning let's read together. The campaign aims at promoting active parental engagement in their children's reading practice at home. Campaign activities will included: running daily radio adverts and jingles, weekly radio programs and TV adverts on selected stations, conducting drama shows in at least 20 communities around government aided primary schools and head teachers inviting parents to schools for one-on-one meetings on the campaign. To avail reading materials at home, 600,000 story cards will be distrusted to primary schools for learners to borrow and read with their parents at home during the campaign. The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Museveni presided over the function. The event was open to the media.
When: Friday February 23, 2018, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Kasaala Girls Primary School, Luwero District
Why: The Uganda Learning Campaign is in response to a 2016 study by the MoES with support from USAID that identified low levels of parental engagement in children's reading practice at home to be a major cause of low literacy levels in Uganda. These results were reinforced by similar studies supported by USAID in Malawi and Senegal, which showed that a combination of both in-school and home efforts in support of reading are necessary for early grade literacy.
Regardless of a parent's level of education, they can play a positive and direct role in their children's reading development at home. Children's ability to learn how to read and write develops on a daily basis and should be based on a routine. This type of routine reading with children or parents listening to children read, stimulates various verbal reactions of the children. In addition, a parent's supportive attitude has a significant positive influence on the reading performance of children in lower grades. The verbal interaction between parents and the child is essential in developing reading ability of children while they are still young. Equally daily positive feedback by parents to children when they are reading enhances their motivation and stimulates their thinking.
Reading is the most important academic skill children develop in the early grades. Reading success in primary school leads to success in other subjects, in higher education and in life. It enables a learner to read to learn in school and beyond. Yet majority of Ugandan children do not learn to read during the first two