Uganda Sees Surge in Girls’ Enrollment for PLE: WLEDE’s Role in Empowering Future Leaders

Uganda’s educational landscape is witnessing a remarkable shift, with the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) seeing an impressive 6.6% increase in the number of candidates. This year, 798,763 students are registered, and for the first time, girls constitute 51.1% of the candidates, outnumbering boys. This surge reflects a broader trend of improved access to education for girls, achieved through various government and civil society initiatives​

SML News UG​

Africa Press Arabic.

At the forefront of this progress is WLEDE (Women Leadership Development), which has played a pivotal role in supporting girls’ education. By addressing gender-specific barriers like child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence (GBV), WLEDE has helped ensure that more girls remain in school and successfully complete their primary education. These efforts align with Uganda’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy, making quality education accessible to all, particularly girls who have historically faced more obstacles to education.

WLEDE’s Ongoing Commitment to Girls’ Education

WLEDE’s interventions are not limited to short-term projects; the organization is dedicated to fostering long-term change. Moving forward, WLEDE will continue advocating for policies that prioritize gender inclusivity, working with schools and communities to keep girls in school. Initiatives like leadership training, mentorship programs, and community-based campaigns will further help to empower girls, ensuring that they have the skills and confidence to thrive beyond primary school.

By focusing on eliminating the root causes of school dropouts and advocating for educational equity, WLEDE is shaping a future where every girl in Uganda can reach her full potential. This surge in PLE enrollment is just the beginning of a broader movement towards empowering girls to become future leaders, a vision WLEDE will continue to champion.