Education Sector in Zombo District
The Government of Uganda (GoU) has made significant progress in improving access to, and the quality of, education services. Through the expansion of Universal Primary Education, Universal Secondary Education, and vocational training, both boys and girls across the country now have increased opportunities for learning. However, the quality of education, particularly in up-country regions like Zombo District and the Northern region, remains poor. The education sector in these areas faces numerous challenges that hinder the overall development of learners and the community.
Challenges
One of the most urgent issues in Zombo District is the poor and inadequate infrastructure at many schools. As one of the newer districts in the West Nile region, Zombo suffers from a lack of basic educational facilities. This negatively impacts the health, motivation, and dignity of learners, with consequences that extend to the broader community. These challenges hinder the aspirations of the learners and stifle the overall development of the district.
The lack of proper water infrastructure and poor sanitation facilities in schools is a major problem. Schools with poor toilet facilities and unsafe water expose students and teachers to health risks, including infections from intestinal worms. Additionally, poor hygiene practices such as failure to wash hands after using latrines are common in rural public primary schools.
The student-to-latrine ratio is another major concern, as most schools lack sufficient latrines, especially gender-segregated ones. This creates significant hardships for female students, who face particular challenges during their menstrual cycles. Without access to changing rooms or sanitary pads, many girls miss school during menstruation, contributing to a higher dropout rate among girls. This leads to gender disparity in upper primary and secondary school attendance in the district.
Inadequate classroom space, often in poor condition, leads to overcrowded learning environments. In some cases, a single teacher may be responsible for up to 230 students, which compromises the quality of education. Additionally, the lack of staff housing forces teachers to commute long distances, affecting their attendance and punctuality.
Many schools also lack adequate furniture, such as desks and seats. Some students are forced to sit on the floor, while others overcrowd the few available desks. The absence of school feeding programs further exacerbates these challenges, as students attend classes without meals from morning until evening, Monday to Friday. This has resulted in malnutrition, with many students suffering from low hemoglobin levels and stunted growth.
These problems are worsened by insufficient funding for the education sub-sector and weak school management. JDI continues to grapple with these challenges, alongside others such as a lack of human resources, government support, funding, and community engagement.
Our Self-helping hands!
Opportunities and Successes – JDI’s Interventions
In response to these challenges, JDI has developed targeted interventions to address the most pressing issues. The organization provides reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls in primary schools, installs water tanks to ensure access to clean and safe water, and trains students on handwashing with soap to promote better hygiene. JDI also conducts testing and deworming programs to combat intestinal worms among learners.
Despite the challenges, JDI remains committed to its educational initiatives. The organization is grateful for the resilience and dedication of the local population, who continue to support the education program. The community’s willingness to participate, combined with the volunteers’ commitment to improving rural education, sustains JDI’s efforts. Moreover, JDI sees potential in collaborating with the government and other civil society organizations to further support education in rural areas.
JDI’s Accomplishments
- Distributed reusable sanitary pads to 3,050 girls in Zeu, Pagei, Ndringi, Ngume, Ayaka, Papoga, Adhingi, and Palwo primary schools
- Tested and dewormed over 5,000 students in Papoga, Zeu, Zale, Kaberu, and Bethel Junior primary schools
- Trained students on handwashing with soap in Bethel and Kaberu Nursery and primary schools
- Installed four water tanks in Papoga, Zale, Bethel Junior, and Ayaka primary schools
