PlayMatters and the district leadership commissioned four newly renovated classrooms in Palabek Refugee Settlement in Lamwo District, northern Uganda. The primary schools that have benefitted include Glory Land, Aywee, Bright Future and Beyogoya. Each of the schools has an early childhood development section. During a brief function held at Glory Land Primary School, the PlayMatters Project Director, Martin Omukuba, commended the district, the community and school leadership for welcoming and supporting the project. “We are now able to witness these fruits. Seeing the renovated structures, I do not doubt that the children will be safe at school, and we will see increased school attendance,” Mr. Omukuba said.

Previously, temporary structures comprising concrete slabs, metallic poles or plastic tents had been erected to accommodate learners. As the numbers increased, the learning environment became unsafe for children and teachers. The rains, heavy winds, dust, and heat would disrupt learning.

Barnabas Langoya, the District Education officer, Lamwo District, appreciated the support rendered to schools within the district. “We will continue to work PlayMatters, and ensure the structures are put to good use and maintained well,” he said. The PlayMatters project through partners - International Rescue Committee, Plan International and WarChild Holland supported by LEGO Foundation has so far trained more than 2,200 teachers, with a total of 43,600 children enrolled in Learning through Play activities across 180 schools reached by the PlayMatters consortium in Uganda.

Read a related story, 'Friendly school environment key to children’s lifelong learning' in Ugandan media here.