Uganda - Learning Acceleration Program

Overview & Synopsis

The development objective of Learning Acceleration Program for Uganda is to improve teaching and learning in Early Grade Reading in target schools, improve learning environments in target schools, and increase the coverage of the Education Management Information System (EMIS) in Uganda. The Program-for-Results (PforR) is anchored in Uganda’s Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP), which aims to ensure equitable access to quality education, improve service delivery, and enhance system efficiency across all education levels, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, TVET, higher education, and sports. Originally planned for 2020–2025 and delayed due to COVID-19, the ESSP is now aligned with the forthcoming Fourth National Development Plan (2025/26–2029/30), with an estimated cost of US$6.369 billion. The ULEARN Program focuses on primary and secondary education and key cross-cutting areas such as early grade reading (EGR), inclusive education, infrastructure expansion, and the establishment of a robust EMIS to support data-driven decision-making and climate-resilient planning. The Program complements ongoing World Bank-supported initiatives, including UgIFT and USEEP, by targeting underserved government schools not currently benefiting from infrastructure support and is structured around three Results Areas: improving quality teaching and learning through structured pedagogy, enhanced teacher professional development, and strengthened learning materials and assessments; expanding equitable access to climate-resilient, inclusive, and safe learning environments through school rehabilitation, infrastructure upgrades, and assistive devices; and strengthening system management through a modernized EMIS to enable real-time data use for planning, monitoring, and improved education service delivery.