As part of our work here in education I have tried a little advocacy when I find the time (and the energy). I’m certainly a novice in this area and some of you may recall a meeting a couple of years ago with the Ministry of Education, the National Curriculum Development Centre and a few other influential educators (on again, off again, on again…). It’s hard to find that balance between reaching out and not becoming a ‘clanging cymbal’. Sometimes I feel I err on the side of the latter, especially when it comes to challenging a multimillion dollar national reading program which I feel could be significantly improved.
Tonight I got my ‘cymbal’ out one more time. I have been reaching out to a few education officials as part of my research for my Masters and thought I would ask the Director of the Ugandan National Curriculum Development Centre a few questions. Along with my questions, I apologised that I hadn’t seen her in person in Kampala and how I did want to share with her some more about the improvements we have been seeing in children’s reading and writing in Gulu.
This was her reply:
Thank you JodyYou have been at this for a while now.I think I can come to Gulu mid October and come to purposely visit you and also see some schools.Can you make arrangements for this and we see how to work together for a betterUganda.Regards,
This is the ‘top cat’ of Uganda’s curriculum development! Please pray that this meeting will actually happen! You all know how much I love meetings, but this is one that I will be trying my hardest to bring to fruition!
Dan and Jodes... in Gulu, Uganda 