The project titled “Empowering Youth to Champion Social Accountability in Schools,” organized by Green Totos Uganda with support from the Global Youth Leadership Centre, has successfully concluded. This initiative aimed to enhance the capacity of student leaders in Entebbe to engage in social accountability practices within their schools. The project included a comprehensive one-day training workshop and a practical field excursion, fostering both knowledge and hands-on experience among participants.
On the first day, a social accountability and green skills training workshop was held at Flight Motel Entebbe. This workshop brought together 20 student leaders from five different schools across Entebbe. The training focused on equipping these young leaders with essential skills and knowledge related to social accountability, emphasizing the importance of transparency, responsibility, and active participation in school governance.
The workshop covered topics on;
- Understanding Social Accountability: Participants learned about the principles of social accountability and its relevance in educational settings.
- Green Skills Development: The workshop integrated environmental education, highlighting sustainable practices that can be implemented within schools.
- Leadership Skills: Emphasis was placed on developing leadership qualities that empower students to advocate for change effectively.
Interactive sessions encouraged participants to engage actively, share experiences, and collaborate on solutions to common challenges faced within their schools.
Following the training workshop, participants embarked on a one-day field excursion to Chadwosk Namate Primary School. This visit provided an opportunity for student leaders to observe and assess social accountability practices in action. They engaged with teachers and fellow students at Chadwosk Namate Primary School, discussing how accountability measures are implemented and the impact these have on school governance.
During this excursion, student leaders were able to:
- Conduct Assessments: Participants assessed existing accountability mechanisms at the primary school level.
- Engage with Peers: They interacted with younger students, sharing insights from their training while encouraging them to participate in school governance.
- Identify Best Practices: Observations made during the visit allowed participants to identify successful strategies that could be replicated in their own schools.
The project has had a significant impact on both the participating student leaders and their respective schools. By empowering youth through education and practical experience, Green Totos Uganda has fostered a new generation of advocates for social accountability. The skills acquired during the training will enable these young leaders to implement effective accountability measures within their schools, promoting transparency and responsible governance.
Moreover, this initiative aligns with broader educational goals aimed at enhancing civic engagement among youth. By instilling values of responsibility and leadership early on, such projects contribute positively towards building more accountable educational institutions.
This project has successfully equipped young leaders with vital skills necessary for advocating change within their educational environments. Through targeted training workshops and practical excursions, participants have gained valuable insights into social accountability practices that they can implement back at their respective schools.
