THE high dropout rate among primary school pupils is a result of their poor upbringing, the finance minister, Syda Bbumba, has said.
Speaking during celebrations to mark 25 years of Madrasa Early Childhood Education programme at Protea Hotel in Kampala last week, Bbumba noted that early childhood education was a life-long investment that lays a strong foundation to build on.
She explained that investing in early childhood education gives the child life-long skills and reduces the cost of education.
“When Universal Primary Education (UPE) programme was launched in 1997, many doubted it, saying it was a white elephant. We started with 2.5 million children and today we have 7.8 million,” she stated.
Nazim Mohammed, the chairman of Madrasa in Uganda, said schools supported by the Aga Khan Foundation, were seeking to help parents and communities provide early education to their children.
Ismailimail 
I am a volunteer teacher from Canada, currently, working at the Madrasa schools. I have already visited 15 schools and I am proud to say that these schools are doing very well. The program is effective because all these teachers have been trained in the best practices of the early childhood education by the Madrasa. I do regret to say that these teachers work very hard, with dedication and long days but are paid minimal salaries. Would it not be fabulous if the Givernment of Uganda, specifically, the Education department could support the Madrasa financially so that they can continue to support the teachers in the madrasa schools in some of the most marginalized areas of thie great country? I have thoroughly enjoyed my visit (I was born in Uganda and have returned after 38 years!) and have had the most enriching experience working with the teachers and the children in these madrasa schools. I hope and pray that these schools will continue to flourish! Shamim Murji, Brampton, Candada
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Shamim
I am Altaf
I am happy that you are doing this volunteer work
It must be quiet an experince ,going back to Uganda after all these years.
Hope you get a chance to visit Kaliro too.
May mowla accept your seva
Take care
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YAM Shamim,
I would like to contact regarding your visit to the Madrasa Resource Centre in Uganda recently.
My daughter and her friend, both aspiring teachers are seeking an opportunity to volunteer their time this summer.
Would you be able to help us re: contacts in Uganda or here.
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