EDUCAtion policy
1.0.
INTRODUCTION
1.1. BACKGROUND OF FIPHAI-UGANDA
FIPHAI-UGANDA is a faith based Non Governmental Organization (NGO) operating in Kasese District, Rwenzori region western Uganda. It was founded in 2003 by the Rt. Rev. Jackson Nzerebende Tembo Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese together with his wife Dorothy Nzerebende to help disadvantaged and needy groups of people. The special interest groups include street children; HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected persons, the malnourished, persons with disabilities, school drop outs, the elderly, victims of domestic violence and food insecurity in Kasese District.
FIPHAI-UGANDA is registered with both the District NGO network (Reg. No.NGO/088) and the national NGO Board (Reg. No. S5914/6906). The organization was initiated in response to the rampant problems in the local communities related to poverty, poor hygiene and sanitation, HIV/AIDS spread, food shortage, illiteracy, high numbers of school drop outs and civil wars.
FIPHAI-UGANDA's approach focuses on aiding production, that is helping communities to become productive through training (to equip them with skills) and support to initiate or develop sustainable income generating projects. FIPHAI-Uganda engages the poor or disadvantaged groups in productive work as co-producers to help them earn a living and improve their livelihoods through profit sharing after sale of their products. Some of the activities under the vocational training and production program include brick making, carpentry, tailoring and handcrafts making.
ORGANISATION VISION
Improved community livelihood and domestic husbandry for a better society free from poverty and unhealthy conditions.
MISSION
Empowering grass root communities to improve/enhance talents, skills and socio-economic aspects for sustainable development.
MOTTO
Wealth is in your own hands
1.2. VALUES, BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES
The following are the core values, Beliefs and principles upon which FIPHAI-Uganda shall operate:
We believe that human beings are created in the image of God and deserve respect
We seek to treat all people without discrimination
We uphold evangelical principles of conduct
We seek to live as a family in this Organization through mutual support and respect
We aim at delivering Quality service delivery
We cherish Faithfulness, Commitment and Transparency
We desire to treat everybody with love and care
We cherish Professionalism and Professional Ethics
We aim at Promoting Team Work
We promote participatory approaches to Community Development
We believe that with God, all things are possible
We believe that in every person’s hands, God has placed a great amount of wealth that can be put to use through work.
We believe it is our social responsibility to advocate for the rights and support of the marginalized communities of this world.
1.3. RELEVANCE AND SCOPE OF THE EDUCATION POLICY
The objectives of this policy document include the following:
This policy shall be reviewed every two years to incorporate new developments as far as the management of FIPHAI-Uganda is concerned. The review of the Education policy shall be spearheaded by the Projects Coordinator and the Executive Director in conjunction with other staff in various departments.
This policy may be reviewed from time to time as need arises or as per management decisions.
2.1. FIPHAI-UGANDA’S MANDATE IN EDUCATION
All activities of FIPHAI-Uganda under the education program shall aim at one or more of the following:
2.2. COMPONENTS OF FIPHAI-UGANDA EDUCATION PROGRAM
The following shall at all times take priority as the focus areas under the FIPHAI-Uganda education program:
1.1. BACKGROUND OF FIPHAI-UGANDA
FIPHAI-UGANDA is a faith based Non Governmental Organization (NGO) operating in Kasese District, Rwenzori region western Uganda. It was founded in 2003 by the Rt. Rev. Jackson Nzerebende Tembo Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese together with his wife Dorothy Nzerebende to help disadvantaged and needy groups of people. The special interest groups include street children; HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected persons, the malnourished, persons with disabilities, school drop outs, the elderly, victims of domestic violence and food insecurity in Kasese District.
FIPHAI-UGANDA is registered with both the District NGO network (Reg. No.NGO/088) and the national NGO Board (Reg. No. S5914/6906). The organization was initiated in response to the rampant problems in the local communities related to poverty, poor hygiene and sanitation, HIV/AIDS spread, food shortage, illiteracy, high numbers of school drop outs and civil wars.
FIPHAI-UGANDA's approach focuses on aiding production, that is helping communities to become productive through training (to equip them with skills) and support to initiate or develop sustainable income generating projects. FIPHAI-Uganda engages the poor or disadvantaged groups in productive work as co-producers to help them earn a living and improve their livelihoods through profit sharing after sale of their products. Some of the activities under the vocational training and production program include brick making, carpentry, tailoring and handcrafts making.
ORGANISATION VISION
Improved community livelihood and domestic husbandry for a better society free from poverty and unhealthy conditions.
MISSION
Empowering grass root communities to improve/enhance talents, skills and socio-economic aspects for sustainable development.
MOTTO
Wealth is in your own hands
1.2. VALUES, BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES
The following are the core values, Beliefs and principles upon which FIPHAI-Uganda shall operate:
We believe that human beings are created in the image of God and deserve respect
We seek to treat all people without discrimination
We uphold evangelical principles of conduct
We seek to live as a family in this Organization through mutual support and respect
We aim at delivering Quality service delivery
We cherish Faithfulness, Commitment and Transparency
We desire to treat everybody with love and care
We cherish Professionalism and Professional Ethics
We aim at Promoting Team Work
We promote participatory approaches to Community Development
We believe that with God, all things are possible
We believe that in every person’s hands, God has placed a great amount of wealth that can be put to use through work.
We believe it is our social responsibility to advocate for the rights and support of the marginalized communities of this world.
1.3. RELEVANCE AND SCOPE OF THE EDUCATION POLICY
The objectives of this policy document include the following:
- To provide a clear definition of FIPHAI-Uganda’s mandate
as far as education is concerned
- To provide guiding principles for the staff and all
beneficiaries directly/indirectly involved in the education program.
- To clearly define the kind and extend of support that
FIPHAI-Uganda shall provide to particular interest group under the education
program.
- To clearly define the different categories of people
entitled to FIPHAI-Uganda education support as well as their selection
criteria.
This policy shall be reviewed every two years to incorporate new developments as far as the management of FIPHAI-Uganda is concerned. The review of the Education policy shall be spearheaded by the Projects Coordinator and the Executive Director in conjunction with other staff in various departments.
This policy may be reviewed from time to time as need arises or as per management decisions.
2.1. FIPHAI-UGANDA’S MANDATE IN EDUCATION
All activities of FIPHAI-Uganda under the education program shall aim at one or more of the following:
- Promoting community
appreciation of improved/quality education through sensitization and
establishment of model education facilities.
- Establishment of new
schools and other learning centers such as vocational workshops, public
libraries, information centers for all and/or different categories of people.
- Provision of educational
support to needy people through material support and partial scholarship.
- Promoting and improving community access to timely and relevant information through print, electronic and other forms of communication.
2.2. COMPONENTS OF FIPHAI-UGANDA EDUCATION PROGRAM
The following shall at all times take priority as the focus areas under the FIPHAI-Uganda education program:
- Nursery education for
children
- Partial scholarship for needy
children and youth
- Vocational training
- Community access to
timely and relevant information
2.3.0. NURSERY EDUCATION- The nursery education
projects under FIPHAI-Uganda education program shall at all times consider
children ranging between 3-8 years of age
- Nursery education
projects shall at all times promote community appreciation of the relevance of
nursery education as a foundation for subsequent learning.
- Support offered to
children under this program shall prioritize the following categories with special
needs:
- Abandoned children
- Children with physical disabilities
- Children infected with HIV/AIDS
- Children with single parents
- Street children
- Children from extremely poor families as per needs
assessments made by management
- Abandoned children
- The nursery education
projects under FIPHAI-Uganda education program shall at all times consider
children ranging between 3-8 years of age
- SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH
EXISTING NURSERY SCHOOLS
- FIPHAI-Uganda management
shall at all times partner with nursery schools in various parts of the
catchment area to ensure quality education for the children.
- These shall be called
affiliate schools of FIPHAI-Uganda entitled to any form of support as outlined
in section………and determined by management.
- Nursery schools willing
to partner with and seek support from FIPHAI-Uganda shall be required to apply
first and receive Board approval before they can become eligible for any form
of assistance from the organization as stipulated
- The applicant nursery
schools shall be required to have or be ready to put in place all management
structures and learning facilities with or without FIPHAI-Uganda’s support.
They shall therefore be owned and run by the founders and their management; except where mutual understanding is reached to allow FIPHAI-Uganda involvement in the ownership and daily running of the institution (nursery school).
- SUPPORT TO EXISTING
NURSERY SCHOOLS
- FPHAI-Uganda management
shall at all times identify nursery schools serving needy communities and
determine the kind of support to offer them depending on the established facts
from their needs assessment.
- Support to such schools
may include but shall not be limited to:
- Scholastic materials for
children and staff
- General office and class
stationery such as chalk, registers, Manila paper and lesson books.
- Provision and full or
partial maintenance of qualified teaching staff depending on availability of
resources and FIPHAI-Uganda management’s set priorities.
- Construction of
structures at the school
- Outreach programs such as
health education and other sensitization programs reaching out to children and
staff.
- Provision of study and
reading books
- Provision of furniture,
tools and equipment
- Scholastic materials for
children and staff
- FIPHAI-Uganda management
shall at all times ensure maximum supervision and monitoring over the use of
materials and any other form of support offered to such institutions.
- ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW
NURSERY SCHOOLS
- FIPHAI-Uganda management
(where need arises) shall establish new nursery schools in a move to extend
quality nursery education to under-served communities.
- Decisions on when, where
and how to establish new nursery schools shall be made by management in
conjunction with the community in question.
- These schools shall be
named under FIPHAI-Uganda
- These schools shall be
fully (100%) owned and run by FIPHAI-Uganda management and staff
- All children under these
nursery schools shall always take first priority for support in their
subsequent levels of education depending on their identified academic
excellence and financial constraints as far as educational requirements are
concerned.
- Management and staff
running the established nursery schools shall be appointed by FIPHAI-Uganda
Education committee and approved by the BOD.
- All employees at these
schools shall be regarded as FIPHAI-Uganda staff.
- All planning and
development at specific established nursery schools shall be decided and
approved by FIPHAI-Uganda management.
- However, not all children
under these schools shall directly qualify for FIPHAI-Uganda’s support
- They shall all be
subjected to the same selection criteria as all other candidates seeking
support through other projects under FIPHAI-Uganda’s education program.
- Children approved for FIPHAI-Uganda’s
support shall also be required to present all necessary information before
registration as beneficiaries under the project in question.
- SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUAL
NURSERY CHILDREN
- FIPHAI-Uganda, through
her community contact persons, partner institutions and community leaders shall
identify disadvantaged and needy children who need support to undergo
education.
- Assistance offered to
such children shall include (but is not limited to):
- Scholastic materials
- Nutritional support
- School fees
- Guidance and counseling
to children and guardians where necessary
- Scholastic materials
- Support to the selected
children shall only continue beyond nursery level ONLY if their discipline,
academic performance and cooperation of parents/guardians measures up to
standards set by FIPHAI-Uganda management
- Continued support beyond
nursery level shall also depend on available resources allocated to the
education program.
- Beneficiaries and their
guardians under the nursery education projects shall always be briefed on the
kind of support to be given as well as terms and conditions of the service at
the time of registration.
- Selection of children for
support under nursery education projects shall NOT be based on religious,
political, ethnic affiliations, gender, or any other social segregation.
2.4.0. PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP
- FIPHAI-Uganda shall at
all times provide educational support to identified children and youth
identified through the designed criteria for selection.
- Support may be given to
the selected individual at any level of education from nursery to Bachelors
degree.
- The kind of support given
to a particular individual may vary depending on recommendations from
FIPHAI-Uganda’s needs assessment of the identified individuals.
- Where the applicant is
not yet admitted in any institution (or management is not satisfied with
current institution), FIPHAI-Uganda shall have a say on the institution to be
attended by particular beneficiaries.
- Applicants under Partial
Scholarship Projects (PSP) shall be required to present a recommendation letter
from their area LCI Chairperson and where applicable, copies of their most
recent term/semester reports (exam results).
- They shall be required to
pay registration fee; amounting to a value that shall always be determined by
management.
- Support shall only be
given to individuals with convincing academic and behavior performance
depending on standards set by management.
- All new entrants MUST be
26 or less years of age. However, after registration, FIPHAI-Uganda may
continue supporting people beyond the age of 26 years to complete their
studies.
- Married people of
eligible age shall not be considered under FIPHAI-Uganda Partial Scholarship
Projects.
- FIPHAI-Uganda management
shall at all times reserve the right to terminate support for any beneficiaries
falling below the set minimum academic standards, behavior and adherence to set
terms and conditions of the service without genuine reasons.
- All individuals supported
under this scheme shall be required to submit signed copies of reports from
their respective institutions at the end of every term/semester for review of
their performance. Failure to do so may lead to termination or reduced support
for the individual in question.
- FIPHAI-Uganda shall
support a maximum of Two children/youth from a particular household, except under
special circumstances as may be agreed by management.
- Death or deliberate
departure of a particular beneficiary shall not mean direct replacement by a
relative. Either of these two scenarios shall still call for use of the normal
selection criteria to fill such vacant positions if resources are still
available. However, individuals from the same household (if) any may take first
priority but must qualify as per set selection criteria as above.
2.4.1. KIND AND EXTEND OF SUPPORT UNDER PSPs- The type of support offered by FIPHAI-Uganda to the
beneficiaries under Partial Scholarship Projects shall include all or any of
(but may not be limited to):
- Partial or full tuition
(school fees)
- Scholastic materials
- Accommodation
- Clothing (school uniform)
- Nutritional support
(food)
- General self-help; career
guidance, counseling, spiritual inspiration and general positive living.
No support in form of cash (direct finance) shall be given to anybody. School fees or tuition shall be given to beneficiaries’ institutions through the bank. A beneficiary shall only receive a pay/bank slip to present at their school indicating the school charges paid.
- Partial or full tuition
(school fees)
- FIPHAI-Uganda shall endeavor to support a particular
individual to a level of education that can enable them attain employment or
acquire skills/knowledge to become self reliant.
- The level in c above may be a Certificate, Diploma,
and Degree depending on the abilities of the individual in question, available
opportunities and resources.
- FIPHAI-Uganda shall not be held responsible for the
fate in terms of employment of individuals completing education under PSPs.
However, where opportunities are internally available, FIPHAI-Uganda can
consider these individuals for employment before contacting the general public.
- Where necessary, a former beneficiary can use
FIPHAI-Uganda management or staff as referees when applying for employment
elsewhere or seek recommendation from FIPHAI-Uganda.
- On completion
of one level of education, continued FIPHAI-Uganda’s support for a particular
beneficiary shall depend on availability of resources and decisions made by
management.
2.4.2. TARGET GROUPS UNDER PSPs
- The type of support offered by FIPHAI-Uganda to the
beneficiaries under Partial Scholarship Projects shall include all or any of
(but may not be limited to):
- The Partial Scholarship Projects shall at all times
prioritize the following categories of needy children and youth identifie8d to
be in need of support for the their education:
- Orphans
- School drop-out youth due
to school fees problems
- Excelling children and
youth lacking school fees
- Children and youth with
disabilities
- Abandoned and/or
neglected children
- Children living
positively with HIV/AIDS
- Orphans
- Identified
beneficiaries shall only be taken up for FIPHAI-Uganda support after proving to
management that they can perform academically at their level of education.
- Proof in b above may be in form of signed two most
recent examination reports (results) or performance in an internally
administered interview.
- Subsequent poor performance below the minimum
standards set by management may (not always) lead to termination of support
provided to the beneficiary in question.
2.4.3. SELECTION OF INSTITUTIONS FOR BENEFICIARIES
- Applicants registered
after admission into particular institutions shall be allowed to join the same
except where management identifies need to change to another institution of
learning.
- Beneficiaries shall only
be allowed to attend institutions that are built and operate on principles;
values and foundation that are in line with those of FIPHAI-Uganda (refer to
section…..).
- DISCIPLINE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
- DISCIPLINE AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
- Depending on the
education level and physical abilities of particular individuals, FIPHAI-Uganda
management shall put in place minimum academic standards below which
beneficiaries may cease to be fit for support from the organization.
- Performance below the set
pass mark for two consecutive terms or semesters may (not always) lead to complete
termination or reduction of support towards the beneficiary in question.
- Management shall at all
times liaise with the partner education institutions in ensuring that
beneficiaries’ compliance with their rules and regulations.
- Non-compliance with rules
and regulations leading to expulsion of the beneficiary from their institution
may lead to termination of FIPHAI-Uganda support for the particular
beneficiary.
- FPHAI-Uganda shall not be
answerable to the consequence of indiscipline by beneficiary’s misconduct at
their institution of learning. Such consequences may include among others;
property damage, theft, injuries due to misconduct.
- FIPHAI-Uganda may however
intervene (not a must) in cases of ill health resulting from natural causes or
injuries from unavoidable circumstances.
- The above intervention
however, shall not be a sole responsibility of FIPHAI-Uganda except where the
beneficiary in question cannot secure help from any known relative, parent or
guardian.
2.5.0. VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND CO-PRODUCTION
- FIPHAI-Uganda through the
education program shall at all times emphasize vocational training to impart
livelihood skills and also help individuals use their skills through
partnership with the organization on a co-production basis.
- Depending on the identified
need and available resources, FIPHAI-Uganda management may at any time decide
to put up vocational training and production centers in any area of
convenience.
- All such centers shall
operate on two joint principles; that is, as training centers as well as
avenues for people to use their skills and generate income on a co-production
basis.
- All vocational training
and co-production activities shall include any or all of the following:
- Carpentry
- Tailoring
- Arts/crafts
- Brick making
- Computing and secretarial
studies
- Carpentry
- To the trainees and
co-producers at partner and established vocational centers, FIPHAI- Uganda
shall offer the following services in form of support:
- Raw materials
- Working space
- Competent/qualified
instructors
- Teaching/learning aids
- Market search for and
marketing of the finished products
- Tools and equipment
2.5.1. MARKETING OF FINISHED PRODUCTS
- FIPPHAI-Uganda
management, together with the management of the training/production centers
shall carry out the role of marketing all products from the centers.
- No employee, trainee or
co-producer shall be allowed to sell anything from the center without
permission or instructions from management. Victims of such circumstance shall
face disciplinary action as per decisions made by management.
- No co-producer shall
demand for their share from the profit on a particular product until the
product in question has been sold and payment received.
2.5.2. ADMINISTRATION AT THE TRAINING/PRODUCTION CENTERS
- All established
production/training centers shall be owned and run by FIPHAI-Uganda management.
- All instructors and any
other employees at the established centers shall be appointed and maintained
centrally by FIPHAI-Uganda. They shall all be treated as any other
FIPHAI-Uganda employees.
- All staff, trainees and
co-producers shall at all times be expected to ensure safety of equipment,
property and their lives at the vocation centers.
- Loss of any property at
the center shall lead to immediate replacement by the individual(s) concerned.
- Any employee, trainee or
co-producer proven guilty over theft of any center or organization property
shall be required to return or replace it and face disciplinary action which
may automatically lead to dismissal or expulsion from the center and all
organization activities.
- Loss or damage of center
property due to negligence shall always call for IMMEDIATE replacement by the
culprit(s).
- Malicious damage of
center property by any employee, trainee, co-producer or visitor shall lead to
replacement, prosecution or dismissal of the victim depending management’s
decisions and circumstances surrounding the incident.
- No members shall be
allowed to bring in their personal visitors at the center without permission
from management. Such permitted visiting arrangements shall be done outside the
working area. Those who do so shall be acting at their own risk and that of
their visitors.
- Management shall not be
responsible for injuries sustained during work at the center except where the
cause is due to poor safety measures put in place by management or unavoidable
circumstances.
- However, victims of
accidents resulting from work may be given first aid and any other assistance
as management decides except for injuries resulting from non permitted
operations, operations beyond normal schedule and misconduct.
2.5.3. TARGET GROUPS UNDER VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
- FIPHAI-Uganda’s
Vocational Training and Production Projects (VTPPs) shall focus on needy and
vulnerable individuals in the following categories:
- School drop-out youth
- Women
- Orphaned youth and
children
- Persons infected with or
affected by HIV/AIDS
- Unemployed persons with
skills in any of the aspects highlighted in section 2.5.0 (IV)
2.5.4. SELECTION OF CO-PRODUCERS AND TRAINEES
- School drop-out youth
- Identified individuals
willing to join any VTPP under FIPHAI-Uganda as trainee, co-producer shall be
required to fill an appropriate application form and undergo relevant selection
criterion put in place by management.
- Applications shall be
checked by responsible departmental officers and forwarded to the respective
Board committee for approval before full registration.
- Registration of the
beneficiaries shall be totally impartial based on no form of social
segregation.
2.5.5. SHARING OF PROFIT/REVENUE FROM SALE OF FINISHED PRODUCTS
- FIPHAI-Uganda management
shall at all times determine the proportions of profits from all products to be
shared among co-producers, the specific project sustainability and
FIPHAI-Uganda office.
- Any losses (if any)
involved in the particular Vocational Training Production Center (VTPP) shall be
equally shared among the parties (co-producers and FIPHAI-Uganda) basing on the
same proportions as in Section 2.5.5 (I) above.
- Profits sharing shall be
apportioned per product (each product considered independently) irrespective of
the number of people involved in its production.
Compiled by:
………………………………..
Musungu Maxim
Programs Officer
FIHPAI.UG
Approved by
…………………………………
Rt.Rev.Bishop Jackson Thembo Nzerebende
Executive director FIPHAI.UG