Foundations for Learning (F4L) Project: 2021–2025

The "Foundations for Learning (F4L) project" is an initiative with the aim of promoting more gender-responsive and pluralist quality education systems in Uganda. Here are some key details about the project:

Key Project Goals:

1. Transform unequal gender norms and power dynamics in education.
2. Increase access to gender-responsive, pluralist quality educational opportunities for marginalized children, with a focus on girls.
3. Enhance the professional knowledge and skills of teachers and school leaders to provide gender-responsive, pluralist learning environments.
4. Foster more gender-responsive and pluralist education systems through new inclusive models for education improvement in government schools.
5. Engage families, households, and communities to support gender equity and equality in education.
6. Influence future education policies and practices through evidence generation and communication efforts.
7. Empower girls by reducing gender and social barriers to educational access, transition, and performance.
8. Connect schools with health and nutrition resources to improve the well-being of learners, especially girls.

Overall Objective: 

The overall objective of the project is to implement school-community project components that focus on dismantling barriers to education and learning for all children, particularly vulnerable girls and boys. The project aims to catalyze locally rooted education solutions that can inform system-level approaches for improving holistic learning outcomes.

Implementing Partners: 

The project is implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation and Integrated Child Service Consult in Arua district and City.

Key Project Activities: 

The project includes several key activities to achieve its goals, such as:

1. Mobilization and linkage: Mobilizing target communities and schools, as well as facilitating the delivery of various modules in the targeted schools and communities.
2. Follow-up and support: Providing ongoing support to schools and communities beyond the project period. This includes capacity building to manage community-response microgrants for local initiatives.
3. Community innovation funds: Developing innovative solutions to address gender and social barriers to education and child protection. This also involves supporting schools and communities in designing, testing, and adapting initiatives to improve learning environments and outcomes.
4. District Stakeholder Reflection Meetings: Facilitating quarterly stakeholder reflection meetings organized by the Aga Khan Foundation for local governments and other partners
5. Documentation and Learning: Documenting learnings and best practices to inform advocacy and future developments in the field of gender-responsive and pluralist education

The F4L project is comprehensive in its approach, aiming to make a positive impact on education in Uganda by addressing various aspects, from gender norms to access and quality of education. It also emphasizes collaboration with different stakeholders and the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences to drive improvements in the education system.