World Children’s Day 2020 Through the Lens
Reimagining the Future of Learning
This year, UNICEF Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate World Children’s Day, a day for children, by children. On the day, children were given an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the future of learning beyond COVID-19.
Unlike in the past, this year, this important day for children was celebrated under very difficult circumstances, as the world grappled with the Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the populations. The pandemic has created extraordinary disruption to all sectors, but the education sector has been affected vastly. In Uganda, the nationwide school closures in March 2020 disrupted the learning of more than 15 million children. School children from the poorest households, those living in rural areas, children with disabilities and girls have been affected more, bringing out huge inequalities in access to learning and its outcomes.
To commemorate the Day, UNICEF in Uganda mobilized and convened partners to execute planned series of events under the theme ‘Reimagining the Future of Learning’ to raise awareness, amplify the voices of young people speaking out on the impact of COVID-19 on education, and highlight possible solutions.
We share highlights from the World Children’s Day activities through the lens.
On 20 November, World Children’s Day, the UNICEF office turned blue for children’s rights. This did not only enhance the UNICEF brand, but also positioned UNICEF as the leading children’s rights organization and enhanced its support for children.
UNICEF also worked closely with the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU), to commemorate World Children’s Day. On the Day, the PSFU office turned blue in support of child rights as part of its Child Rights in Business (CRB) activities.
‘KIDS TAKE OVER’ WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR
13-year-old Desire Catherine Nanyonjo, a pupil of Kiwolera Primary School in Kamuli District, eastern Uganda, speaks at the Kids Take Over meeting with the private sector that was attended by six children from different regions across the country. Desire shared how she continued learning during the COVID school closures that started in March 2020 and challenges faced. Among the avenues she used was the UNICEF mobi-station, a suitcase with a computer and educational content on Kolibri – a programme uploaded with digital lessons at her school. Accessing the content doesn’t require internet connectivity. “Please provide us with more mobi-stations – we only have one for 75 pupils,” Desire requested the private sector members present.
Ahaisibwe Henry, a primary five pupil with visual impairment from Kamurasi Demonstration School in Masindi District, mid-western Uganda, shows off his learning gadget that supported him to continue learning during Covid-19 school closures – it has recorded learning content. He mentioned how fortunate he was to have the gadget as it helped him access learning content during that period. However, he wondered how other children with special needs like him and with no gadgets continued to learn. He requested the private sector to invest in buying these gadgets for those children as he felt they are left out.
This year also marked the 31st anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In Uganda, before the media roundtable discussion, panellists including children, UNICEF staff and partners released 31 blue balloons in the air to celebrate the 31 years of the most important treaty for children.
Blue balloons released in the air to celebrate the 31 years of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child as Uganda commemorated World Children’s Day.
CHILDREN AND STAKEHOLDERS REIMAGINE THE FUTURE OF LEARNING
To commemorate World Children’s Day, children led discussions at a Media Roundtable Discussion under the theme ‘Reimagining the Future of Learning’. The event was broadcast by three television stations – UBC Television (national broadcaster), NTV and Bukedde Television a vernacular station. The panellists included children, representatives from UNICEF, Ministry of Education and Sports, the Private Sector and Kampala Capital City Authority.
At the media event, children shared stories and experiences of how they continued to learn during the COVID-19 school closures and provided solutions that will enable stakeholders reimagine the future of learning. “Learning through the television was not easy. I couldn’t communicate to the teachers whenever I failed to understand some concepts,” said Gashayija Bella Nelly, 14 years.
“To all the stakeholders, please reopen schools but let pupils and students attend classes in shifts to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic,” pleaded Bella.
Mr. Shadrack Omol, UNICEF Representative in Uganda a.i. speaks at the media roundtable discussion to commemorate World Children’s Day. To the children - “Please feel free to reimagine the future. We will listen to you. Tell us what you need to re-design your education. What would prepare you best from learning to earning? Tell us your dreams, ask us questions, give us your solutions, amplify your voices, speak out so that we can be able imagine with you. We want to travel this journey with you as you reimagine your future,” emphasized Mr. Omol.
Mukiibi Shammil Raheijjah, 15 years, provides solutions that will enable every child to continue learning in future and beyond COVID-19, regardless of where they are and who they are. “Ministry of Education and Sports as you plan to buy radios for all households to support our learning, please buy solar radios because most parts of Uganda lack electricity and a grandmother in Karamoja will not be able to buy dry cells if she doesn’t even have money to buy food,” he requested. “Additionally, please construct computer hubs in all districts and villages to support e-learning even for those in remote areas,” he added.
Mukiibi Shammil Raheijjah, 15 years (L) and Gashayija Bella Nelly, 14 years (R), child panellists at the World Children’s Day media roundtable discussion, pose for a photo after the event.
