Ugandan Children Highlight Education Barriers on International Literacy Day

On September 8, 2026, Uganda marked International Literacy Day with children in Kiboga District sharing significant challenges they face in their educational journeys. Despite national improvements in literacy rates, these young learners highlighted persistent issues that threaten their academic progress and future prospects.

Primary Seven pupil Jimmy Musoke of Bwanda Primary School explained how being sent home due to unpaid school fees exposes children to negative peer pressure, increasing the risk of dropping out. “When they chase you from school for school fees, you are forced to choose options of either dropping out of school or waiting for your parents to look for the money,” he stated.

Girls face additional vulnerabilities, according to Senior Three student Damalie Nansulo of Kitenda Baptist College. She noted that negative influences from out-of-school youth and some boda boda riders, coupled with the stress of school fee arrears, can lead girls astray and contribute to them leaving school.

Beyond external factors, some pupils admitted to sabotaging their classmates’ education. Primary Six pupil Jennipher Nansikombi shared instances of stolen notebooks and destroyed scholastic materials, driven by a desire to hinder others’ academic success. “This can affect your performance,” she commented.

Community libraries, like the Azira Michael Youth Foundation Community Library, are working to combat these issues by providing free access to learning materials. Catherine Amia, coordinator of the Community Libraries Association of Uganda (COLAU), emphasized that literacy extends beyond reading and writing to practical life skills. COLAU supports approximately 53 community libraries nationwide.

While Uganda’s literacy rate among those aged 10 and above has risen to 85.3 percent according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, the voices from Kiboga underscore the critical need to address socio-economic and educational barriers to ensure all children can fully benefit from learning opportunities. These community efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all.

Source: Daily Monitor