Leaders during the meeting at Terego district headquarters

By Martin Anguyo

Terego

Some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working with children in Terego district have raised concerns over poor community attitude towards the implementation of their various projects.

In a meeting with Terego district leaders at the district headquarters, the leaders of United Nations International Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF) and Literacy for Adult and Basic Education (LABE) noted that, their efforts in improving the education of children through Early Childhood Development programs are frustrated by some parents in the District by not permitting their children access Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers.

Sarah Ajwang, the UN refugee education officer in the district noted that, more sensitization is needed to change the negative mindset of the people in the district. "We want to reach everywhere and see into it that, every child can read and write but let us focus and sensitize the parents," said Ms. Ajwang.

Meanwhile, the communications manager of LABE, Nairuba Joyce stated that, there is still a lot of cultural beliefs in the district in terms of education given to children hence lessening their effort. "The situation in Terego is not any better compared to the situation overall in Uganda. The cultural beliefs and attitude are too deep-rooted," said Ms. Nairuba.


LABE Communications manager, Ms. Nairuba Joyce

Vuni Augustine, the chairperson of social services Terego district attributes the issue to over population in the district where he said, many parents don’t bother about their children.

Whereas, the Executive director of LABE, Stella Keihangwe Tumwebaze, reveals that, their main aim of coming to Terego is to bring more development for the people in the district but this is taken for granted by the locals. "We want to chase illiteracy away from the society and that’s why we are here but your commitment with us is not as expected," she noted.


The Executive Director LABE, Stella Keihangwe Tumwebaze

In order to address this issue, 10 members from different sectors of Terego district were chosen to supervise numerous programs that are going to be undertaken by these organizations.