In a powerful demonstration of international collaboration and knowledge sharing, a delegation of 10 civil servants from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Regional Government and Administration from Ethiopia recently visited our Community Learning Centre (CLC), Pabali Regional Model CLC in Nwoya district Local Government. The enthusiasm they displayed for the services offered at the CLC underscores the significant impact of CLCs in advancing lifelong learning and community empowerment.
This visit holds great importance given Uganda’s history of collaboration with Ethiopian counterparts. In 2018, a team from Uganda visited Ethiopia and benefited from their expertise on establishing CLCs, drawing valuable lessons from their well-established model that had already demonstrated remarkable community benefits. Upon returning home, Uganda adapted and blended these insights with Uganda’s unique cultural values, governance systems, and community development priorities. This transformation gave the CLC concept a distinctly Ugandan character deepening its role in promoting lifelong learning, integrated service delivery and enhancing community well-being. The Ethiopian team’s visit to Uganda, seven years later, signifies a recognition of the CLC best practices in Uganda. This shift in perspective is a clear indicator of the progress Uganda has made in promoting access to adult learning and community education service delivery.
Community Learning Centers are rooted in ICOLEW programme that is implemented under the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development with technical and financial support of DVV International and focuses on promoting functional literacy and numeracy, financial literacy through VSLAs, livelihood skills training, including vocational skills development, and community development. This programme has been crucial in establishing CLCs as vital hubs for community learning and development. The success of these centres is rooted in the dedication of the implementing Local Government teams, like in Nwoya District and the robust support from partners, both public and private.
The regional model CLC modality was developed to promote peer learning and exchange among District Local Governments following government approval for national rollout of the ICOLEW programme.
Successful implementation of the ICOLEW programme has now transcended national borders and is attracting attention from across borders. A member of the core team notably remarked that, "Learning is a process; we learned from our colleagues in Ethiopia and they are now learning from us as well." This spirit of collaboration and peer learning is central to the successes so far gained.
The visit from the Ethiopian delegation not only recognizes the impact of CLC but also highlights the potential for replicating this modality. The chief host, who is the District Community Development Officer, remarked “We are determined to promote our Regional Model CLC beyond borders and are eager to continue our collaboration and knowledge sharing with international partners.”
Key Takeaways:
International collaboration and knowledge sharing are vital for encouraging best practices in community learning and development.
The CLC model has been effective in empowering communities and fostering lifelong learning.
The readiness of the Nwoya District team in sharing their experiences and best practices with others aligns well with the vision for establishing regional model CLCs