In Uganda and across the northern region in particular, a common challenge for school-going children that affects learning is nutritional deficiency. A 2020 report, Challenges and Prospects for Financing School Feeding under the UPE Programme in Uganda, found that out of the eight million children attending school, the largest proportion goes hungry, with only 33% of the children receiving meals at school.
For school-going children with disability, the realities are more alarming. Unlike their counterparts, they may not be able to move to look for alternative eatables like fruits such as mangoes, guavas and oranges near the schools (Being the most common fruits in this region). Consequently, delays in enrollment, absenteeism, lack of concentration poor performance in class and increased school dropouts become commonplace.
In an endeavour to foster and promote inclusive education, CFI is implementing the Farm to School Program. Through this program, eligible schools receive support in the form of improved quality seeds, pesticides and other technical assistance for implementation of activities that improve children’s access to local foods besides food and agriculture education.
The program is currently supporting five schools including Angolo, Otwal and Anyomolyec Primary schools in Oyam district and Abunga and Orem Primary schools in Lira district. Since the inception of the program in the schools, there has been increased enrollment and better performance of learners in the schools as a result of the school farms established.
Parents and teachers, teachers and children’s relationships also benefit from the activities in this program. Parents, like teachers and learners, are actively involved in farm activities. Many parents contribute by participating and providing agricultural inputs like ox-ploughs that are used in the school farms/gardens.
Eventually, a key positive outcome of implementing these activities includes the financial opportunities and incentives it provides to the schools. Excess farm produce could be sold to purchase other school necessities and requirements that support the learning of children.
Let’s contribute today to improve children’s learning abilities and performance by donating or providing support in the form of seeds, pesticides, farm inputs and technical assistance.
