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A teacher helps her student solve a math problem on the blackboard at a BRAC School.
Programme Description The overall goal of BRAC’s alternative learning programme in northern Uganda is to educate children who have dropped out of school or never enrolled so they can make the transition to the formal government school system. The programme’s specific objectives are to: • • • • • •
Support government efforts to achieve “education for all” Increase enrolment and contribute to the basic education of the country’s deprived children Increase access for girls in education through the non- formal system Ensure enhanced participation of women in education Provide employment opportunities to women as para- professional teachers Involve communities in their own socio-economic development
We admit 30 to 35 pupils per school and employ one teacher to teach a two-year school cycle. We follow the Government Primary School Curriculum. Once pupils reach primary level 3, they can be mainstreamed into public schools. All learning materials are provided free of charge. The teachers are recruited from local communities and must have completed their school education up to secondary level 4.
The main features of our approach are: • • • • • • • •
School timing flexibility Operating in close proximity to students’ home Small class sizes managed by female teachers Little or no homework Child-friendly teaching environment Relevant curriculum providing basic education and life skills No financial cost for students or guardians Close involvement of parents and communities in school management
We conduct house-to-house surveys to identify prospective students and teachers and cross check our findings with local education officials to identify dropouts and avoid duplication. Newly recruited teachers are given 20 days of basic training designed to be proactive and participatory, placing emphasis on practice and role-play teaching. Teacher training includes topics such as the basic concepts of education, child psychology, different teaching and learning techniques and how to deal with children with special needs.