Key Traits of High-Quality Schools in Uganda

All conscientious parents want their children to attend good schools. When they have the opportunity to choose where their child completes primary or secondary education—as is the case in Uganda—a little parental homework can go a long way toward boosting student success. Here are some key characteristics Ugandan parents should look for in order to be sure their children are attending the best schools Uganda has to offer in their area.

Safety

Schools should have security measures in place to protect children from human traffickers, thieves, and other intruders, as well as to minimize the risk of fire and other environmental hazards. Some important safety features to look for include:

• Security fences or walls
• CCTVs and security alarms
• Security guards
• “Stranger danger” education for students
• Close supervision of students by teachers and administrators
• Portable fire extinguishers, hose reels, and buckets of sand in strategic locations

Teacher Qualifications

In 2017, Uganda’s Education Sector Consultative Commission (ESCC) approved a National Teacher Policy (NTP) to standardize the professional development and management of educators. Parents should verify that a school is accredited (registered with the Ministry of Education) and look for signs of compliance with NTP standards, including:

• Low student-to-teacher ratios
• School administrators dedicated to instructional oversight and teacher management
• Teachers with appropriate qualifications and experience
• Strong engagement with the surrounding community
• Well-established, high-quality teaching curricula

Proximity to Home

Particularly if their children will be walking or using unsupervised transportation to school (such as bicycle or motorcycle taxis, which is common throughout Uganda), parents should look for schools located as close to home as possible. This offers the following benefits to students:

• Helps to keep pedestrian children safer from predators
• Increases the likelihood that students will be familiar with safe locations and trusted community members along the route to school in case of emergency
• Maximizes the time children can spend both at home (eating, sleeping, and doing homework) and at school rather than wasting time and energy on the commute
• Saves money on taxi fares

Reputation and Alumni Success

High tuition and school fees do not indicate the quality of a school. Instead, parents should try to familiarize themselves with the school’s reputation, which is easier to do if the school is located close to home. A high-quality school should track and report the successes of its alumni. If parents are looking at primary schools, they might ask about their graduation and secondary school enrollment rates. With secondary schools, parents should look for graduation rates, career training and college preparation programs, and college enrollment rates.

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Simone’s Kids in Nakaseke, Uganda provides high-quality primary and secondary education and meets basic needs—including access to clean water, safety measures, and an on-site medical clinic—for children in order to help them break the cycle of poverty. Your donations help purchase school supplies, textbooks, food, and other necessities for Ugandan students.

You can maximize your impact with recurring donations to Simone’s Kids by joining The Village. The Village is a passionate group of donors committed to bettering the lives of children in Uganda by making monthly donations that help to provide better meals, more teachers, more activities, and even post-graduation services. Give today!