UK - Uganda Cooperation

A number of schools in the UK have formed special links with schools in Uganda. These links have enriched education and development for these schools.

School twinning works when it is of mutual benefit. The schools start by working out what they want to get out of it, and finding out the aims of the partner schools with which they twin. School linking works best when it is firmly rooted in education. Schools can take on a shared curriculum project together, or each help the other complete a different project (the UK school might have geography at the heart of their project; a school in Uganda might be looking for English Language learning). From the outset both schools try to be clear about what they hope to achieve through the link.

School twinning is a brilliant way to enhance the curriculum and development in both schools.

Success stories of UK - Uganda schools twinning include:

Roots to Success

Roots to Success peer learning school partnership programme is being developed by the Welsh Assembly Government in partnership with UNICEF. Nabumali Secondary School, Mbale, Uganda is partnering with Hawthorn High School in Pontypridd, Wales, UK, while Bubutu Secondary School, Mbale, is partnering with Pontypridd High School in Pontypridd, Wales.

This programme is being undertaken via the PONT group. PONT is a community partnership between the people and schools of Mbale, Uganda and the people and schools of Wales, UK. PONT is a multi-agency partnership involving the University of Glamorgan, local government within the Rhondda Cynon Taff (RCT) area of South Wales, and a range of professionals living in and around Pontypridd. They all engage in volunteering activity to empower non-government organisations in the region of Mbale, Uganda.

Mbale is roughly the same size as RCT with an average income of less than $1 a day, an average life expectancy of 46, and an infant mortality rate of 200 per 1000. Malaria is a major problem, and 4.1% of adults have the HIV virus. Seventy per cent of 14 year olds do not stay on in education and only 5% of secondary school students go to university or college. There is no electricity or running water in most of the village schools, and class sizes range from 60-120.

PONT is a two-way street for international engagement with communities in different continents benefitting from each other's friendship through having two overall aims that guide the partnership. First, to increase the capacity and governance of individuals and organisations in Mbale to accept and distribute aid to the poorest communities. Second, to teach residents within Rhondda Cynon Taff about family and community values as well as international cultural perspectives.

PONT has been singled out as one of the leading examples of good practice for the twinning of respective regions. (This page is still being updated)