Mobile book-box. Books anywhere

by Adonia Katungisa

An AfLIA Leadership Academy Cohort 1 Project

Reading empowers and prospers. Children read more when there are books available for them. School libraries provide the opportunity for young people to read for broader understanding outside of what is taught in the classrooms. The inadequate number of libraries and paucity of books, hinder the academic achievement of young people.

Quality education is the bedrock of development for every country. Adonia who is currently the Director, National Library of Uganda understood the urgency of ensuring that children in his community are prepared to excel academically so that they can fit in well into the 21^st century. He decided to take book boxes to primary schools in Kampala Capital City Authority so that the children would not miss out from the benefits of having books to read beyond classroom texts.

First, Adonia sensitized the stakeholders on the importance of reading and libraries in schools for the attainment of quality education. He wrote and waited for the Directorate of Education and Social Services to approve to partner with him in the project. During this period, Adonia selected appropriate reading materials for primary schools.

The services are currently being offered in the following schools in Nakawa Division – Police Children School, Naguru, St Jude Primary School and Naguru Katali Primary School. The project will be monitored and evaluated for impact by interrogating the performance and reading levels of the pupils through reading and writing assessments. Adonia’s project fully addresses SDGs4 – Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.