A new beginning: The joy and struggle of adolescents reclaiming their right to education

Fancy Munguci, 23, prepares for a history examination - a national paper organized by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB). Fancy’s life took a turn for the worse when she conceived during the COVID-19 lockdown and dropped out of school. Now married and mother of two children, she attended a life skills training organized by Adjumani District from there she got inspired to return to school and complete her studies. She wants to be a social worker to work with adolescents in rural communities - work she is already involved in as an adolescent peer advocate working in her community to return child mothers to school with support from UNICEF through the David Beckham Foundation. As of January 2023, 166 teen mothers have returned to school there, enhancing learning outcomes and addressing teenage pregnancy.

Richard Drakoda had a difficult childhood. He had to drop out of school because his family could not afford it. He also struggled with substance abuse, which affected his health and well-being. But Richard did not give up on his dreams. He sought help from UNICEF, who provided him with counseling and training. He also enrolled in a vocational course in mechanical engineering, where he learned valuable skills and knowledge. Richard’s goal is to open his own garage and use it as a platform to mentor young people in his community. He is already making a difference as an adolescent peer advocate, where he leads a Girls Education Club with 28 members. He teaches them how to develop skills that can help them earn a living and improve their lives. Richard’s story is an inspiring example of how one can overcome challenges and create positive change.

Christine Manuela, 20, a student at Kuluva School of Nursing and Midwifery and former chairperson at the Girls’ Education Club, holds a pelvic during a practical class at the skills lab in Arua, West Nile, Uganda. “The Girls’ Education Club taught me determination. At first it was not easy, but I have seen the importance of nursing and midwifery and I feel good when I help people like that, I feel blessed,” she says. 

Benard Opio, the Headteacher at Adjumani Secondary School, uses the Life Skills Toolkit to guide Patricia Adrupio, the school Head Prefect, during a Life Skilling Club session. Opio is among the 324 teachers from 81 schools in Adjumani District who received training from UNICEF on how to deliver the toolkit to students. The toolkit helps students develop skills such as communication, critical thinking, and self-management. The Life Skilling Club at Adjumani Secondary School has more than 50 members who benefit from the toolkit. The trained teachers also mentor other teachers in their schools on the content and the formation of adolescent-led clubs. UNICEF adopted a cascading training model to create a pool of master trainers who can facilitate the implementation of the Life Skills Toolkit.

A UNICEF staff member interacts with Christine Manuela, talking to her about their experiences, the value of the Girls Education Clubs and peer advocates in her community. Since 2018, UNICEF with funding from the David Beckham Foundation has supported Adjumani District in encouraging adolescents to complete their education. As of January 2023, 166 teen mothers have returned to school there, enhancing learning outcomes and addressing teenage pregnancy in the process.