By Our Reporter
The Government of Uganda will continue supporting refugees’ access to education, as a way to protect them and support the growth of a strong labor force for the East African region, the state minister for higher education Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo has pledged.
“Uganda has embraced the UNESCO qualification passport framework to enhance access to higher education among the refugees,” Dr. Muyingo noted. He made the pledge recently, while making his remarks, during the 42nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO held in France’s capital Paris, at UNESCO Headquarters, from November 7 to 22, 2023.
The Qualifications Passport developed under the auspices of UNESCO is a modern universal tool to facilitate the mobility of refugees with qualifications and is used for migrants around the globe.
The Qualifications Passport scheme aims to increase access for refugees and vulnerable migrants to higher education through the recognition of prior learning and qualifications. This project is piloted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports, UNHCR, and the Norwegian recognition authority NOKUT. The Norwegian recognition authority NOKUT develops the evaluation methodology.
The UNESCO Qualifications Passport for Refugees has a validity of five years from the date of issue. The aim is that within this timeframe, refugees will have the opportunity to find employment, continue further studies, improve their language proficiency, or apply for formal recognition or authorization.
In response to Refugee Education, the Ministry of Education put in place policies and practices where education officers and teachers were provided with skills to implement Conflict Sensitive Education in refugee settlements and local communities.
Dr. Muyingo, in his speech at the summit, also noted,”to improve the teaching profession, the government with support from UNESCO through CaP/ED programme developed The National Teacher policy. The policy envisions transforming the teaching profession and learning environment for a skilled and globally competitive human resource.”
He explained that the education and sports ministry has now been able to develop the standard policies, guidelines, and frameworks needed in the sector.
Addressing the importance of education in refugee settlements and local communities, the Ministry of Education has implemented Conflict Sensitive Education policies and practices. Dr. Muyingo highlighted the transformative impact of the National Teacher Policy, a joint effort between the Ugandan government and UNESCO’s CaP/ED programme. This policy envisions elevating the teaching profession and creating a globally competitive human resource.
Expressing gratitude for UNESCO’s support in STEM education for 100 schools, especially in post-war and refugee-hosting districts in Northern Uganda, Dr. Muyingo underscored Uganda’s commitment to realizing the Teachers Policy. He acknowledged UNESCO’s role in fostering social transformation, sports, environmental protection, and the advancement of science, technology, and mathematics teaching in the country.
Recognizing the urgency to align with UNESCO’s reforms, Dr. Muyingo also expressed Uganda’s dedication to achieving Sustainable Development Goal Four, focused on transforming education standards. The State Minister thanked UNESCO for its multifaceted support across various sectors, emphasizing the collaborative effort needed to secure the education Uganda aspires to provide.
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