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Empowering Young Minds: The Transformative Impact of TaRL in Kasese District

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Primary school learners sit in a circle during a classroom activity focused on group participation

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Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

VVOB and the Hempel Foundation announced the expansion of their partnership to address low learning outcomes in primary education in Uganda. Building on the success of our initial collaboration in 2022, we are committed to scaling the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach, which has shown tremendous potential in improving foundational literacy and numeracy skills among learners. Through the TaRL Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Education and Sports validated the strategy for scaling and sustaining the contextualised, school-based, government-led TaRL model in Uganda under the name “UCatchUp”. 

In the district and municipality of Kasese, Uganda, situated in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, a transformative educational journey has been unfolding. The UCatchUp programme is changing lives, one child at a time. Through the stories of two mothers, Mbambu Grace and Murungi Sarah, and the amazing experiences of young learners like Esther Nzabake, we explore the profound impact TaRL has had on their families and the community.

Mbambu Grace’s Journey

Mbambu Grace, a 37-year-old mother, remembers a time when her children's education seemed to be at a standstill. Her children, aged 12 and 14, struggled with basic literacy and numeracy skills despite being in grades 4 and 5. Concerned about their future, she sought advice from a friend whose children had shown remarkable improvement in reading and writing. This friend introduced her to the UCatchUp programme at Kasese P.7 School.

In 2022, Grace decided to transfer her children to Kasese P.7 School, where the UCatchUp programme was being implemented. The results were swift and encouraging. "Before joining TaRL, my children couldn't read simple English words or write in our local language, Lukhonzo, despite speaking it fluently," Grace explains. "Now, they are confident, can read and write, and even solve simple math problems."

Grace is sitting under a tree outside, wearing a yellow long skirt.

Murungi Sarah’s Story

Murungi Sarah, a 38-year-old mother of three, also turned to TaRL to help her children. Her children—Mbabazi Ruth (11 years old, grade 5), Magezi Auther (8 years old, grade 3), and Bwambale Aron (6 years old, grade 1)—faced significant academic challenges. "They couldn’t read simple words or solve basic math problems," Sarah explains. The traditional teaching methods were not engaging the learners effectively. However, TaRL introduced a more interactive approach, making learning fun and engaging for the children.

Sarah’s involvement in her children’s education deepened after joining the UCatchUp programme in 2023. She provides scholastic materials and ensures they have lunch to make studying easier. She actively guides them with their homework, ensuring they understand their lessons. "I make sure they have everything they need for school," she says.

Sarah is sitting in a classroom, wearing a long blue dress.

Esther Nzabake’s Experience

Esther Nzabake, a 12-year-old girl in grade 5, attends a school 10 kilometres from Kasese town along Kilembe Road.  Her excitement for learning shows how a positive school environment can make education enjoyable as she speaks about her daily routine. "I like my school because it’s near home and my teachers teach me well," she says.

Esther walks to school every day, a short 10-minute journey that she has eagerly undertaken since joining the UCatchUp programme in 2023 while in grade 4, Esther has shown great progress. "In TaRL, we learn in the morning before normal classes. We sing, dance, jump, and play. We also tell stories because I am in the story group, and do addition with bundles and sticks, subtraction, multiplication, and division using play money," Esther explains.

Esther’s favourite activities in the UCatchUp programme include addition and subtraction using bundles and sticks. However, she faces challenges with story reading due to the difficulty of some words. Despite these challenges, Esther’s dedication to learning is unwavering. She enjoys the engaging teaching methods employed by her TaRL teachers, who use play, songs, and dances to make learning exciting. Esther’s experience in the UCatchUp programme has also shaped her aspirations for the future. She says she would like to be an accountant working in the bank when she grows up.

Esther is standing outside a school building wearing a blue uniform dress.

Positive Changes

Both Grace and Sarah have observed impressive changes in their children since joining the UCatchUp programme. They are now more confident and freer while playing with other children. Their literacy skills have also seen a significant boost. They both noted how their children can now read complex words, write, and spell correctly. In numeracy, they have made strides in solving math problems.

Esther’s experience in the programme has not only enhanced her academic abilities but also shaped her aspirations for the future. "I have gained a lot of confidence in my local language, Lukhonzo. I can now write and even read the Bible in Lukhonzo," she proudly shares. This newfound confidence extends beyond language skills, as Esther now feels comfortable solving problems in multiplication, division, and subtraction, and confidently expresses herself in class.

Looking to the Future

The relationships between both mothers and the school community have strengthened since the introduction of TaRL. They communicate regularly with the teachers and have renewed hope that their children will excel in their primary leaving examinations. "It is generally good, and I now have hope that my children will pass," they affirm.

Grace dreams of her eldest child completing secondary education and pursuing a nursing course, while Sarah wishes for her children to achieve the highest level of education they can. Despite the challenges they faced in their own education due to limited resources, both mothers are determined to do everything they can to support their children’s education. "I will contribute whatever is expected of me as a parent for my children to study as far as they can," Sarah vows.

The stories of Mbambu Grace, Murungi Sarah, and Esther Nzabake show just how powerful TaRL can be. They highlight the importance of tailored, engaging education that meets children at their learning level and fosters a love for learning. As Mbambu Grace and Murungi Sarah continue to support their children’s educational journey, they express their gratitude for the UCatchUp programme. "I appreciate [the TaRL programme] for their efforts in equipping our children with skills in numeracy and literacy," they conclude.

With the continued support of TaRL, children in Kasese District are being empowered to reach their full potential, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities. Through the dedication of parents like Mbambu Grace and Murungi Sarah, and the innovative approach of TaRL, the future looks bright for the young minds of Kasese.

Across all three learning outcome areas, significant improvements have been observed in learners’ foundational literacy and numeracy skills.​ In all categories, there was a large drop in the percentage of learners at the lowest learning levels compared to higher levels​. Encouraged by these results, VVOB and Hempel Foundation are embarking on a new phase of their collaboration, running from 2024 to 2027. This phase aims to scale the UCatchUp programme across all 266 government-aided primary schools in Kasese District, making this transformative teaching method widely accessible.