Katutandike - Let's Get Started - Transforming Lives in Uganda

Ka Tutandike Uganda joins all actors in commemorating the Day of the African Child. This year’s theme focuses on, “A child friendly, quality, free and compulsory education for all children in Africa,” and the general objective this year is to call the attention of African governments to their responsibilities in respect of ensuring children’s right to education in accordance with the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (Children’s Charter). The 2014 theme is even more significant in light of the fact that the Soweto uprising which the Day of the African Child commemorates was a protest for an appropriate education. Studies have shown that the education system in African countries is still characterized by poor completion rates, high withdrawal rates, poor indicators for secondary education, and poor continental commitments to pre-primary education.

As we jointly advocate this year’s theme, KTU takes this opportunity to appreciate all actors promoting and advocating for availability of ECD services for all children. Most poor children in Africa are denied access and the right to enjoying ECD services. The early years of a child’s development matters a lot because the foundation upon which all later learning, behaviour, and health depends.

Early experiences and the environments in which children develop in their earliest years can have lasting impact on later success in school and life. In this regard, KTU has since 2006 worked to protect the rights of vulnerable children living in urban and rural poverty, especially in market places. Due to the adverse poverty in these communities, children do not enjoy full rights especially in their early years of growth. In order to transform the lives of these children and ensure that they are not deprived of the love, care, nurturing, health, nutrition and protection that they need to survive, grow and develop, KTU is working in partnership with government ministries, market authorities and the local communities in providing ECD services in a safe and conducive environment for children 0-5 years whose parents operate as market vendors.

Getting things right the first time is easier and more effective than trying to fix them later. We therefore call upon all Education actors to join in advocating and ensuring that all children in Africa have access to a firm early childhood foundation.

We wish you happy celebrations