‘Thanks to catch up lessons, I can read and write’
“I have learnt to read and write,” he beams. “Before it was hard for me but now it is easier.”
Edson Tayebwa, 11, leaning forward on his desk, stares intently at the blackboard. The teacher, Jennet Nyamuhunge, is conducting a lesson in literacy on the different methods of harvesting.
Speaking to the learners, she teaches using a story and for the different tools used for harvesting, she uses visual aids made from banana fiber. Nyamuhunge instructs the learners in Rutooro (the local language) and English. She then writes a question on the blackboard, instructing the learners to copy the question into their exercise books and include the answers. Edson is the first to complete the exercise.
Edson, who has a hearing impairment, is a learner at Ngangi Primary School in Kyegegwa District, western Uganda. He has been attending the catch-up classes in Primary One since March 2025. His exercise books show a marked improvement in his handwriting and comprehension.
“I have learnt to read and write,” he beams. “Before it was hard for me but now it is easier.”
Gesturing with a thumbs-up sign, Esther responds to a question about her reading and math skills. She exudes confidence and in her Primary Three class, she can help the children understand how to solve multiplication problems using the ladder method.
The Primary Three Learner attends Kakoni Wisdom Primary School within Kyaka II Refugee Settlement in Kyegegwa District.
“I can read stories and count numbers with help from my teachers,” says Esther. She adds that in future, she wants to be a nurse.
“I can read stories and count numbers with help from my teachers, In future, she I want to be a nurse."
Edson and Esther are 2 of the 3,871 beneficiaries of the Catch-up Learning Programme in Kyegegwa District which targets refugees and host communities. The programme implemented with UNICEF support in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports, Voluntary Service Organisation (VSO) and Kyegegwa District Local Government is funded through the French National Committee for UNICEF.
Ngangi and Kakoni are two of 10 primary schools identified to implement the Catch-up Learning Programme and there has been remarkable improvement in the foundational learning skills of the learners.
Three teachers from each of the 10 schools were selected and trained in strategy and tracking methods. Since its implementation, the district has recorded an improvement, with 58 per cent of learners moving one level higher in reading and comprehension, and 64 per cent showing improvement in numeracy.
