Trailblazers Mentoring Foundation (TMF) is set to transform education in Karamoja with funding from the Government of Uganda (GoU) through the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). The support is part of the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP), financed by a $150 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) under the World Bank. TMF will implement a one-year project under USEEP’s Component 1: Equitable Expansion of Lower Secondary Education.
The project aims to enhance access to education for underserved populations, with a special focus on improving access for both boys and girls, as well as addressing violence against children in and around schools. TMF will roll out the project in five schools across the districts of Abim (Kanu S.S), Amudat (Alakas Seed S.S), Nakapiripirit (Loreng Seed S.S), Kotido (Losilang Seed S.S), and Napak (Lokopo Seed S.S) in the Karamoja region.
Aims and Objectives
The project aligns with GoU’s education priorities, addressing gaps in lower secondary education access and supporting child-friendly schools that promote safety, inclusion, and academic excellence. Key goals include:
- Increasing access to secondary education: Addressing the educational needs of underserved communities, including girls and boys in remote areas.
- Strengthening child protection systems: Developing mechanisms to report, track, and respond to violence against children in schools (VACiS).
- Promoting gender equity and inclusion: Implementing gender-sensitive and rights-based education policies.
Impact on Education in Karamoja
The initiative will help bridge the education gap in Karamoja by:
- Equipping schools with proper facilities, including water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems prived through the Ministry of Education and Sports.
- Providing psychosocial support to students, teachers, and communities.
- Training teachers to use ICT in classrooms and creating safe learning environments.
- Scaling up child-friendly school models to ensure academic effectiveness, inclusivity, and safety.
Broader Contributions of USEEP
USEEP is a five-year initiative (ending in December 2025) targeting underserved areas across Uganda, including refugee-hosting districts. The project focuses on constructing and expanding lower secondary schools while addressing the impacts of COVID-19 on education.
In Karamoja, TMF’s involvement will directly benefit students, teachers, school leaders, and local communities. It will also contribute to the transformation of norms that perpetuate violence against children, fostering a safer and more equitable education system.
Strengthening the Future of Education
TMF is committed to working with government agencies, schools, and communities to ensure the success of this initiative. By improving access to education and addressing key challenges, the project will empower Karamoja’s youth to thrive and contribute to sustainable development in their communities.
