EAC Pupils Poor at Reading and Counting

{{A latest numeracy and literacy report shows Uganda as the worst country in East Africa with more children in primary who lack basic reading and counting skills.}}

Uwezo East Africa 2013 findings show there are large differences in learning achievements among the three East African countries with Kenya performing better at 68% in both numeracy and literacy skills compared to Tanzania at 50% and Uganda at 38%.

Kenya and Tanzania shared same ranking (68%) in numeracy while Uganda scored less than 50% in all competencies.

According to Sara Ruto, Uwezo regional manager, although Kenya fared better than the two countries, it is home to the worst performing districts in the region demonstrated in stark inequalities.

“Many children in East Africa are not learning basic literacy and numeracy skills. Less than two out of ten pupils in the third year of primary school can read or do basic mathematics at primary two levels.”

“By the time they reach the last year of primary school, one out of five East African children still have not acquired these [numeracy and reading] skills,” Ms Ruto said at the launch of the report at Makerere University, Kampala yesterday.

NMG