75%
OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL DROP OUT
25%
9 MILLION
In Uganda, almost three-quarters of the students who enter primary school will dropout before completion. And only 1 in 4 students will make it out of primary school and into secondary school. In Africa, that translates to 9 million primary school-aged children missing out on an essential human right, education. And for those who make it into school, more than half of them will not be able to meet minimum reading levels, and two thirds of these students will not achieve the most basic mathematic standards.Gender challenges, child labour, early marriages, unmotivated teachers due to low pay, little or no healthcare options, and a lack of awareness among parents, are all contributing factors in a child’s inability to not only make it to school, but to stay in school. Of all the hurdles to leap, poverty is the greatest barrier. And for poor rural families in Uganda, living on just $1 a day, the cost of pens, exercise books, uniforms and lunch are simply beyond their reach.COFIA’s Lunch to Learn, Academic Success, Teacher Support, Uniforms for Dignity, and Health & Wellness Programs support effective learning and provide essential resources bringing opportunity, nurturing dreams, and in the end, changing lives from one generation to another.
COFIA programs bring what’s needed to learn.
WHERE IS RUBONGI?
Rubongi is one of many villages in the Tororo town, in the Eastern region of Uganda.
Landmarks: Mt. Kilimanjaro is approximately 340 miles southeast of Rubongi, Tororo.
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FAQs
What is produced from the Tororo region, where Rubongi is located?
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Tororo is known for producing cotton, onions, cassava, potatoes, beans, and sunflowers among others. Aside from agricultural crops, mineral deposits are also found to be abundant in Tororo.
What would you see if you visited Tororo’s business district?
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In the central business district, tourists can find remnants of plantation homes of the Victorian and Edwardian tea boom in Tororo. These establishments have been restored and transformed by merchants into inns, lodging facilities, and restaurants.
How many students/teachers at St. Jude Primary School in Rubongi, Uganda?
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More than 600 students, 11 teachers, 1 Principal
What is the age of students at St. Judes?
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Children begin school at different ages, unlike student in the U.S. It is not unusual to find a 9 year-old in first grade. Because children often walk long distances to school by themselves unescorted, some students begin school at an older age. Another delay can be financial. Often schools are tuition based, and due to poverty, many families are unable to afford their child’s tuition.
Grades: 1-7 (no kindergarten in rural areas) School occurs all 12 months out of the year, with larger school breaks occurring throughout the calendar year.
What language do children speak in Rubongi?
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Jap’adhola is native language in Rubongi. Children learn English in school. English is the official language. Beginning in the late 1800s, the area was ruled as a colony by the British, who established administrative law across the territory. Uganda gained independence from Britain on October 9, 1962. The period since then has been marked by intermittent conflicts, most recently a lengthy civil war against the Lord’s Resistance Army, which has caused tens of thousands of casualties and displaced more than a million people.
What is the weather like in Rubongi?
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Most of Uganda enjoys the perfect tropical climate. Temperatures average about 26°C during the day and 16°C at night (Average: 80’s F with low in 60’s F). The hottest months are from December to February.