EL-SHADDAI INITIATIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT

El-Shaddai Junior Parents’ School, a community-based primary school located in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Kamwenge District, Uganda, serves both refugee and host community children. The school, established with the support of ELINDE, a refugee-led organization, has been instrumental in promoting inclusive education for displaced children from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Following the arrival of Congolese refugee children with different educational backgrounds and curricula, the school launched a coaching program to help learners transition smoothly into the Ugandan education system. Background and Rationale Many children arriving from the DRC have experienced interrupted schooling, language barriers, and exposure to different national curricula. Upon admission to Ugandan schools, these differences create significant learning gaps, making it difficult for learners to adapt and perform at grade level. Recognizing this challenge, ELINDE initiated the coaching program at El-Shaddai Junior Parents’ School in 2023, aiming to: - Bridge curriculum and language gaps for newly admitted Congolese refugee learners. - Support psychosocial recovery and confidence-building through small-group instruction. - Promote smooth integration into the Ugandan primary education system. Program Design and Implementation a) Structure and Approach The coaching program was designed as a remedial and transitional initiative, running parallel to regular classes. Learners were grouped by age and learning level rather than grade to ensure tailored instruction. The sessions focused on: Language development (English and Kiswahili), numeracy and literacy bridging, orientation to the Ugandan curriculum and psychosocial support and confidence building. The program used trained refugee teachers and volunteers, many of whom are former educators from the DRC and nationals. This approach encouraged cultural sensitivity, peer understanding, and sustainability within the community. The coaching program at El-Shaddai Junior Parents’ School, spearheaded by ELINDE, has made a significant difference in helping Congolese refugee children adapt to the Ugandan education system. Despite challenges, the initiative stands as a model of community-driven education and refugee empowerment. With sustained support, the program can continue to bridge learning gaps, enhance psychosocial wellbeing, and build a foundation for a brighter future for refugee children in Rwamwanja Settlement.