At least 30 government-aided primary schools in Gulu City and Gulu District, Uganda, have been selected to benefit from a donation of 130,000 textbooks and reading materials. The donation, from the United States, was handed over to education officials by the Reading Association of Uganda (RAU) through the Room to Read Uganda Project. The textbooks and reading materials aim to improve literacy among young learners in the region.
The donated books comprise storybooks and curriculum support materials. They will be distributed to libraries in 21 schools in Gulu District and 19 schools in Gulu City. The goal is to promote a robust reading culture among pupils. According to Harrison Kiggundu, RAU Team Leader, the books will undergo a review to establish their suitability for children and compliance with the national education curriculum.
The review process, which includes assessment, consolidation, and repackaging, is expected to take between two and three weeks. After this process, the books will be allocated to the selected schools. Kiggundu mentioned that similar donations had been made to schools in Mitooma and Mubende districts. Additionally, a second consignment of 70,000 reading books is expected to be delivered to schools in Gulu City and Gulu District.
The Gulu District Education Officer, Harriet Atim Okot, expressed optimism that the donation will improve pupils' reading abilities and academic performance within the next two years. She noted that the education department had already trained teachers in library management and established reading and debating clubs in preparation for the arrival of the books. Atim commended RAU and the Room to Read Uganda Project for the donation.
Proscovia Aber, Senior Education Officer for Gulu City, said the donated books are learner-friendly and contain illustrations that will make reading easier and help pupils grasp concepts quickly. She noted that poor literacy levels remain a challenge in Gulu and other parts of Uganda. Aber expressed hope that the books will help improve children's reading habits.
Justin Obol Simpleman, Gulu District Chairperson, received the consignment on behalf of the two local governments. He expects the donation to improve academic performance, particularly in rural schools that have struggled academically. In the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Gulu District registered 2,024 candidates, with varying levels of performance across different divisions.
The books will be stored at Gulu Core Primary Teachers College pending assessment before distribution. Key stakeholders are optimistic about the positive impact of this donation on education in Gulu. The initiative aims to address literacy challenges and enhance academic performance among young learners in the region.
Key points
- 130,000 textbooks and reading materials donated to Gulu schools
- Donation aims to improve literacy among young learners
- Review process to ensure suitability and compliance with national education curriculum
