Our primary school in northern Uganda now has 500 students from Nursery through P-7 (sixth grade). They have no playground equipment at all. This project will build a large school-size playground with a separate area for Nursery students. The playground will be constructed to U.S./European standards so that it can last for 10 years. Studies show that a playground of this nature helps increase students' academic performance, while reducing absenteeism and aggression.
The school is happy to have four cement class blocks housing 8 classrooms. However, there is no play area for the children. During lunch and recess time, there is often much fighting because the school children have nothing constructive to do.
Studies have shown that having a well constructed playground helps promote the students' learning. It gives them something exciting and constructive to do where they can learn to engage with each other while developing their social skills. Absenteeism is reduced because children are excited to come to school so they can use the playground.
The 500 students at the school will perform better academically and have a higher attendance rate. This will increase their test scores so they can progress further. It will also help them with their social and leadership skills. The playground will be managed by a playground committee so it will become a focal point of community pride and accomplishment and allow both parents and students to develop their leadership and stewardship skills.
