Page 6 - JMERC COMMUNICATION LT

1. Introduction

1.1. Background and Context

This Communication and Engagement overburdened teachers. In Uganda,
Strategy has been developed in about 8.8 million children are enrolled in
response to communication primary education. Of those in grades 3
challenges and opportunities facing JM to 7, only 39.5% can read a grade 2 story
Education and Research Centre while 25.1% cannot read a two or
(hereinafter referred to as JMERC) in three-letter word (World Bank, 2021). The
pursuit of its vision and mission as well situation is not different for numeracy
as the strategic objectives and and life skills such as problem-solving,
priorities articulated in the Strategic critical thinking and creativity. This is a
Plan 2023-2027. huge learning poverty which translates
into poor learning outcomes in the
The communications and Engagement subsequent levels of learning. At all
Strategy for JMERC is the result of a levels of education, the system is
comprehensive needs assessment, stubbornly irresponsive to the gender
recognizing the pivotal role JMERC plays learning needs leading to many girls
in enhancing and fortifying the and young women dropping out of
educational landscape in Uganda and school. Most affected are the girls in
the region. Access to quality education rural communities where families
is an essential requirement, yet a survive on less than $3 a day.
significant portion of the population
faces barriers stemming from JMERC has embarked on a
gender-based inequalities, limited transformative five-year strategic plan
quality human resources, financial (2023 – 2027) designed to establish a
constraints, and inadequate comprehensive support ecosystem for
infrastructure. Uganda boasts one of learners, ultimately enhancing their life
the world's youngest populations, with a outcomes. In addition to other critical
staggering 44 percent under the age of areas such as Foundational Learning
14, all in need of education. However, (FL) and social and Emotional Learning
Uganda grapples with a scarcity of (SEL) and Teacher Professional
well-trained educators to cater to this Development (TPD), the plan places a
rapidly growing demographic. significant emphasis on empowering
youth, particularly disadvantaged and
UNESCO data reveals a stark reality with vulnerable adolescent girls and young
approximately 43 students per teacher women within rural secondary and
at the elementary level, surpassing both primary schools, equipping them with
the global average of 23 and the the agency to exercise their rights and
sub-Saharan African average of 38. The unlock their full potential. This
surge in student enrolment communication strategy is intricately
detrimentally impacts the quality of aligned with JMERC's visionary five-year
learning, leading to overcrowded plan, harmonizing with its mission and
classrooms, increased noise levels, positioning JMERC as a trailblazer and
difficulties in class management, and thought leader in the field of education
and youth empowerment.

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