The struggle to get refugees back to school in Uganda

In a bid to encourage children to take up the offer of continuing schooling, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and partners started its “back to school” programme, which includes activities designed to lure children back to the classroom.



Interaid Uganda staff and the International Rescue Committee have addressed children and parents on the importance of education, urging them to allow their offspring to attend school.

Saida Betty, an Interaid social worker, says she offers special courses to keep children busy especially during holidays, while also reminding them of the importance of education. “We have encouraged these activities because one day they will benefit from it,” she says.



However, parents in the refugee camps, who spoke with The Niles, confirm that sometimes they are unable to send their children to school. Rebecca Nyagai, mother of three kids, says most children failed to go to school due to long distances that they had to walk. “There are children between ages of two to three years and walking 10 to 15 kilometres. That is a long way to reach school so they end up staying at home,” she says.



Nyagai urged the UNHCR to build schools closer to various clusters of refugees, to help the younger children attend. 

Social workers and child protection units move from one residential block to the next in an attempt to boost awareness of the importance of schooling while asking parents to allow their kids to go. The campaign also targets children aged between one and 17 years to offer them studies in art and design.



Dudu Mary, a Child Protection Officer with Interaid Uganda says back to school also covers key social topics. “We educate them on the dangers of sexual intercourse and early child marriage,” she says.