New resources to promote peace in Ugandan schools
Posted by Relief Web
Source: World Vision
August 31, 2005
by Margaret Alerotek - Communications Officer
Peace is on the curriculum in schools in Uganda, thanks to a new set of educational resources provided by World Vision in conjunction with the Government of Uganda and the German Embassy.
Inspired by a World Vision report on integrating peace education into school curriculums in Uganda, the new handbooks for primary schools were launched on August 26.
World Vision Uganda Peace-building Coordinator James Odong said the book is a rich resource for teachers for integrating peace education into their day-to-day teaching.
Addressing those present at the launch, World Vision Uganda Interim-National Director Luther Boris Anukur said the country should encourage and develop a culture of peace, focusing on long-term commitment with grassroots partners to address the causes of conflict.
"Peace building is about addressing the root causes of conflict and past grievances, facilitating the non violent transformation of conflicts towards just systems and peace communities. It should aim at the promotion of social justice, changing attitudes and behaviour by building cultures of peace," said Anukur.
Anukur said World Vision Uganda engages in advocacy programmes that help to reform and build institutional structures that promote peace, adding that the main reason why World Vision got involved in this program was because it wanted to promote non-violent ways of resolving disputes among teachers and students.
"This idea of promoting peace education in schools was borne out of the realisation that children spend longer hours with teachers than with their parents. And teachers have a leading role in moulding the future generation for peace. That is why our first intervention was to come up with a teacher's aid for Peace Education for Primary Schools and it is our hope that this will help contribute to peace in this nation," he said.
German Ambassador Dr. Alexander Muehlen commended World Vision for its commitment and dedication in trying to transform lives and societies. He said that peace is a very important aspect of life that cannot be overlooked and urged the teachers who will use the books to do their best to instill it in the children.
"We all need peace and should encourage it to be one's part of life. Peace should be something we acquire each time we wake up, and confirm it as we retire to bed. However, it is sad that some children, especially those from the northern part of Uganda grow up not knowing the meaning and benefits of peace. It is our responsibility to change that, and it is my prayer that the Government of Uganda continues to support this initiative," said Muehlen.
The Minister of State for Primary Education in Uganda Nyombi Thembo, in a speech that was read a representative, said the Government of Uganda is very happy with what World Vision is doing for the Ugandan community especially those in war ravaged areas of northern Uganda.
"Peace is a very vital ingredient for any meaningful development. I am glad World Vision came up with such a brilliant idea of integrating peace in primary schools, which is very important for a child's early stages of growth. And I can assure you that the government of Uganda will support it all the way."
The German Foreign Office funded the peace project, which cost US$82,000.
Source: World Vision
August 31, 2005
by Margaret Alerotek - Communications Officer
Peace is on the curriculum in schools in Uganda, thanks to a new set of educational resources provided by World Vision in conjunction with the Government of Uganda and the German Embassy.
Inspired by a World Vision report on integrating peace education into school curriculums in Uganda, the new handbooks for primary schools were launched on August 26.
World Vision Uganda Peace-building Coordinator James Odong said the book is a rich resource for teachers for integrating peace education into their day-to-day teaching.
Addressing those present at the launch, World Vision Uganda Interim-National Director Luther Boris Anukur said the country should encourage and develop a culture of peace, focusing on long-term commitment with grassroots partners to address the causes of conflict.
"Peace building is about addressing the root causes of conflict and past grievances, facilitating the non violent transformation of conflicts towards just systems and peace communities. It should aim at the promotion of social justice, changing attitudes and behaviour by building cultures of peace," said Anukur.
Anukur said World Vision Uganda engages in advocacy programmes that help to reform and build institutional structures that promote peace, adding that the main reason why World Vision got involved in this program was because it wanted to promote non-violent ways of resolving disputes among teachers and students.
"This idea of promoting peace education in schools was borne out of the realisation that children spend longer hours with teachers than with their parents. And teachers have a leading role in moulding the future generation for peace. That is why our first intervention was to come up with a teacher's aid for Peace Education for Primary Schools and it is our hope that this will help contribute to peace in this nation," he said.
German Ambassador Dr. Alexander Muehlen commended World Vision for its commitment and dedication in trying to transform lives and societies. He said that peace is a very important aspect of life that cannot be overlooked and urged the teachers who will use the books to do their best to instill it in the children.
"We all need peace and should encourage it to be one's part of life. Peace should be something we acquire each time we wake up, and confirm it as we retire to bed. However, it is sad that some children, especially those from the northern part of Uganda grow up not knowing the meaning and benefits of peace. It is our responsibility to change that, and it is my prayer that the Government of Uganda continues to support this initiative," said Muehlen.
The Minister of State for Primary Education in Uganda Nyombi Thembo, in a speech that was read a representative, said the Government of Uganda is very happy with what World Vision is doing for the Ugandan community especially those in war ravaged areas of northern Uganda.
"Peace is a very vital ingredient for any meaningful development. I am glad World Vision came up with such a brilliant idea of integrating peace in primary schools, which is very important for a child's early stages of growth. And I can assure you that the government of Uganda will support it all the way."
The German Foreign Office funded the peace project, which cost US$82,000.
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