Want to Change the School System? Let Students Lead!

What are the systemic problems that learners in Uganda are facing?

After teaching, I worked in the private sector, and I helped entrepreneurs start and strengthen their businesses. I noticed that the excellent young people, those who had A’s, were not really productive. They were always waiting to be told what to do. And then even if you give it to them, you have to show them how to do it.

So that's when I reflected and thought, “Irene, you are a partner in crime in this because you are a teacher, and these young people are the people that have come out of your school system. And here you are the other side, and you're asking why can't they perform? Why are they not creative?”

Like in different cultures, children here are [seen as] very dependent. You don't have a voice as a child at home because you're young. I remember I used to be beaten a lot because I kept talking at the dining table, I'm asking questions, and my parents would expect me to be quiet.

At school, teachers are cramming what they are teaching to their learners. Because when I asked teachers, some of them did not really have a clue how their subjects can help these young people outside the classroom. When I looked at the content, the curriculum had never been changed since 1960. Young people could not really connect with it. Classrooms here are very stiff. Children are expected to be quiet and not ask questions.

This is why I formed PEDN with my vision of How do we use education to create an entrepreneurial society?

How would you define intergenerational changemaking? Can you explain how your work exemplifies this description?

I describe intergenerational changemaking as individuals or people within different age groups working together for a common goal. They collaborate and co-create to address a challenge or even an opportunity to bridge a gap. In changemaking, everyone is a key stakeholder, so leveraging their expertise, knowledge, and skills is beneficial to an inclusive but diverse approach to changemaking.

At PEDN, before we go to the schools, we first talk to the district education officer (DEO) who helps us understand which schools are under their constituency. And then we bring in the head teachers because they are key, and the parents from the parent teacher association. They all go through an orientation, so they are all on the same boat.

When the teachers head back, they identify key liaison teachers who will be part of the program. We take them through a workshop where we change their mindset. We make them realize that they are now going to become facilitators. We ask them to think about parents and guardians as resources. They are trained in financial literacy. The teachers then go back to mobilize the learners.

Of course, we also want to make sure that this public-private partnership is activated. You cannot reform education without the government. You need the private sector to give opportunities to young people to explore.

What type of impact are you seeing for learners who go through this innovative curriculum?

Our alumni are doing very well in their careers. Most of them have started social innovations within communities and PEDN has used them as facilitators. When I need someone, I don't look far. Whoever has stepped in our gates becomes part of the family. There has been that peer support, peer mentorship. Some have even gone through Ashoka’s Youth Venture.

We have seen achievements through our inspiration and that for me has been the multiplier effect.

What are some tips you have for engaging people of different generations and backgrounds?

You need to allow people to understand and appreciate themselves. If it’s a program, you must support them to align to what they have experienced. If you want to be inclusive, you need to make sure that you have that emotional connection before you bring in external knowledge and skills.

You need to start with the internal. What is that person thinking? What have they seen? Heard? Said? Where is their heart? For me, that has always been the trick with everyone.

I even tell the parents that attend my training, first and foremost, let what we are doing speak to you as an individual. Because unless you feel like you buy into the idea, unless you feel part of the concept, it will be very difficult for you to hand it down [to your children].

I think stories are very strong. If you’re able to package your personal experience even within a short period of time, you can become a catalyst of innovation and of ideas. If people see you have come to their level, you can make a greater impact.

Besides these, I would say show and teach young people empathy and social responsibility by allowing them to access resources and mentorship. Enable collaboration and teamwork through different activities like projects, workshops, conferences, sports, music or digitally.

What is your message to intergenerational changemakers?

For older changemakers:

- Be empathic and compassionate to everyone. Share your story of change, share your journey, your skills and the change you want to see in the world. If possible, bring communities together to create a sense of belonging

- Continue to inspire and motivate others 'Inspire to Inspire' or 'Inspire before you Expire'

 

For younger changemakers:

- Get involved practically in issues of social change

- Think outside the box and work with others to create the change required

- Be visionary leaders, because your voice and action matters

- You can act local and global; there resources and support to get you where you want to be

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About the Ashoka Fellow

Irene Mutumba is a multi-skilled professional teacher, an education and learning specialist, a social innovator and business entrepreneur. She is a visionary leader, elected an Ashoka Fellow in 2005 for challenging the traditional education system by creating a new fun and active learning environment where young people are encouraged to think and act like entrepreneurs.

Irene believes that an entrepreneurial society is best approached through the education system where young people and communities are supported to think and act as entrepreneurs. By holistic engagement of all to take charge, lies the answer to true hope of change making and sustainable development.

Irene is both a local and international Award winner for her social impact innovations.