AMBROSE GAHENE
As part of its commitment to transforming lives in communities, Stanbic Bank Uganda has supported a key literacy initiative in partnership with USAID with the handover of reading cards worth Shs 20 million.
Speaking during the handover ceremony recently; the Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Patrick Mweheire said: “Stanbic Bank is committed to transforming lives by promoting sustainable growth; this is the reason why the main focuses of our CSI initiatives are in Education.”
The handover of the reading cards is part of the bank’s partnership with the USAID/Uganda Literacy Achievement and Retention Activity project being implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports through the learning campaign: Tusomere Wamu (let us learn together)."
USAID Chief of Party Geri Burkholder said: “These results of the study were confirmation of similar research supported by USAID in Malawi and Senegal, which showed that; a combination of both in-school and home efforts in
support of reading are necessary for early grade literacy. The stories on the cards have been selected by early grade reading experts to build essential reading skills, while engaging children in age appropriate and contextually relevant stories. They provide an easy and efficient way for pupils to master the art of reading at a young age.”
The reading cards will be distributed to pupils in primary schools between classes 1 through 4. The goal being to empower young minds in their developmental years using tools which are children friendly and interesting.
Consilous Rwanyonga, a Senior Education Specialist with the Ministry of Education said: “The Ministry of Education’s Uganda Learning Campaign; Tusomere Wamu is based on pilot initiatives implemented in Mityana district
earlier this year”
The cards will be issued to selected schools in Kiboga and Buvuma districts that received fewer cards during the pilot initiatives, relative to their current class enrolment as top districts.
Meanwhile, Stanbic Bank Chief executive Patrick Mweheire has been elected the new Chairman of the Uganda Bankers Association (UBA). He takes over from Mr Fabian Kasi who held the position for the past three years.
Other members elected on the UBA Executive include Mr. Rakesh Jha the CEO of Barclays Bank Uganda as Vice Chair, Mr. Mathias Katamba the CEO of Housing Finance Bank as treasurer and Sarah Arapata the CEO of Citi Bank as
auditor.