"We believe that education and skills training in the key in making the world a better place for all" ~ Shule Foundation
- 98% of the children living on the streets in Uganda are boys
- 132 Million boys do not attend school (132 million girls)
- 1 out of 6 boys are sexually assaulted (1 out of 4 girls)
- 88 million boys are forced into child labor (64 million girls)
- 7 out of 10 boys are recruited to become child soldiers (3 out of 10 girls)
- boys are more likely to be victims of corporal punishment than girls
132 million boys do not attend school. That is half of the out-of-school children worldwide.
Within schools, teachers tend to disengage boys, making them feel like they don’t belong.
Boys often find themselves at the receiving end of violence and discrimination that results in a huge gap in skills, particularly reading.
Research has shown that boys are likely to drop out of school for the following reasons:
- Poverty within the family forcing them to find work at an early age
- Socio-cultural perceptions among teachers and parents resulting in low expectations and disengagement from school
- A higher rate of corporal punishment among boys
Studies also show that men without secondary education were more likely to:
- Express discriminatory views on gender
- Be physically and/or sexually violent against women and children
If we do not educate and change the mindset of boys, we will not win the fight against climate change, gender equality, poverty and global stability.
The GEM report shows that ensuring both girls and boys complete at least secondary education is key for achieving gender equality across society.
By 2030, Africa will be home to 41% of the world’s youth population, and right now Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of exclusion within the education sector.
- More than half of Africa’s children do not go to school
- 19% of primary aged children are denied their right to education
- Over 1/5 of children between the ages of 6-11 are sitting at home
- A third of the youth between the ages of 12-14 do not attend classes
- 60% of youth between the ages of 15-17 are not studying
- 18% of all boys (that is 132 million before COVID) are out of school
Out of the 46 million people living in Uganda, 48% are under the age of 15.
Only 8% of age-appropriate students are enrolled in school and the unemployment rate is a staggering 80%.
Would you like to volunteer to become part of the lives of some of Uganda’s most impoverished - street children and help young boys achieve their full potential?
We have some fantastic volunteer opportunities, find out more here.