Are our children learning? Literacy and numeracy in Uganda 2014

In this fourth annual learning assessment, Uwezo keeps the debate on learning outcomes alive by providing nationally representative data on children’s learning in Uganda. The assessment was carried out in August 2013 in 80 districts of the country by trained citizen volunteers. In all, 2,372 enumeration areas, 2,353 schools and 34,013 households were visited, and 87,339 children aged 6-16 years were assessed on basic literacy and numeracy competencies using tests standardized at Primary 2 level. While the findings indicate some success in achieving near gender parity in learning outcomes, which is consistent with findings from previous assessments, this fourth Uwezo survey continues to show that a significant proportion of children complete Primary 7 without basic skills in literacy and numeracy. As the global education agenda unites around the central goal of learning, Uganda must pay greater attention to enabling all school-age children to access education and attain at least the basic ability to read, write and count. In this fourth annual learning assessment, Uwezo keeps the debate on learning outcomes alive by providing nationally representative data on children’s learning in Uganda. The assessment was carried out in August 2013 in 80 districts of the country by trained citizen volunteers. In all, 2,372 enumeration areas, 2,353 schools and 34,013 households were visited, and 87,339 children aged 6-16 years were assessed on basic literacy and numeracy competencies using tests standardized at Primary 2 level. While the findings indicate some success in achieving near gender parity in learning outcomes, which is consistent with findings from previous assessments, this fourth Uwezo survey continues to show that a significant proportion of children complete Primary 7 without basic skills in literacy and numeracy. As the global education agenda unites around the central goal of learning, Uganda must pay greater attention to enabling all school-age children to access education and attain at least the basic ability to read, write and count.