Atyak Sub-county has the worst child education status in Zombo district. By 2019, only 34% of the children were enrolled in schools. Yet dropout rate stood at 83%. This state that violates children rights to education was
attributed to: Poor parental attitude and low awareness about children education; Harmful cultural norms and practices; Lack of systems to support children rights to education; and Inadequate/poor sanitary facilities. In response, Atyak Child Rights to Education Project (ACREP), a 3-year project is under implementation with a goal that, “30% more girls and 20% more boys are enrolled and retained in Primary Schools in Atyak Sub-County by 2023”. AFARD intends to achieve this goal through: 1) ensuring that children of primary school going age are supported to enroll and remain in school by parents and school management; 2) Girls in Atyak sub-county are protected against harmful cultural norms and practices and girl child marriage; 3) communities (parents, local leaders) support children by creating child friendly spaces at community level; and 4) schools (Teachers, PTAs and SMCs) create safe and child friendly environment. The project directly targets 2,000 children (60% girls both in-school and out of school), 1,000 parents, 50 Teacher, 100 Religious, Cultural and Local Leaders and 20 Justice Law and Order Sectors and Community Development Officers.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, through advocacy meetings, the project has been able to empower Child Rights Advocacy Clubs and Child Protection Committees to fight for children’s rights. With community awareness and positive support of local leaders, already two cases of child marriage were reported to police and the perpetrators apprehended.
Project budget: UGX 797,474,000
Project donor: Kindernot Hilfe