The Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development is exploring the possibility of expanding the Home Learning Centre (HLC) model, currently being implemented by Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE), into a nationwide program.
LABE, an indigenous NGO, uses innovative methods to engage young children in learning by incorporating locally made play materials such as clay dolls, cubes, and handcrafted pottery, creating an interactive and enjoyable educational experience.
LABE also trains parents to create these materials, ensuring children remain motivated and interested during their early childhood development (ECD) years.
This approach addresses the high costs associated with setting up early learning centres, aiming to provide children from underserved communities access to quality early education.
During field visits to project sites in Northern Uganda and West Nile, Everest Tumwesigye, Commissioner for Community Development and Literacy at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, expressed admiration for the HLC model.
“I am particularly impressed by the Terego District Education Officer, who has transformed his home into a home learning centre to support ECD and home-based learning. With forthcoming Government of Uganda Development Funding, we plan to scale these interventions nationally,” Tumwesigye said.
These field visits come ahead of International Literacy Day, celebrated on September 8, and follow a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between LABE and the Ministry on May 30, 2024.
The MoU aims to set a collaborative framework to enhance LABE’s initiatives in responsive caregiving, preschool learning, livelihood literacies, and parenting skills development within home-based learning environments.
The MoU has already seen significant progress in the West Nile region, particularly in the districts of Koboko, Terego, and Obongi.
“We are eager to expand to additional sub-counties within each district, but our immediate focus is to strengthen the impact in our current areas to ensure a solid foundation before considering broader expansion,” said Stellah Tumwebaze of LABE.
“We don’t want to expand and then under-deliver in some sub-counties.”
The Ministry of Gender has expressed enthusiasm for renewing its partnership with LABE, reaffirming its commitment to making adult basic education and early childhood development accessible to all Ugandans.
Founded in 1989, LABE aims to address the need for sustainable literacy skills, which are essential for equitable grassroots development and a pathway out of poverty.
The potential nationwide expansion of the home learning centre model would represent a significant step toward improving early childhood education across Uganda.
