The IREAD ECDL's chairman Mr. Richard Masereje (presenting to Uganda's NCDC) has led the research of local language for the North Bugisu area for use in child learning and other local communicate activities and the need to develop orthography. 

IREAD ECDL is pushing the limits of what is possible!

We are contributing to the transformation and development of language to support early childhood learners under the Uganda's thematic Policy

Primarily to provide a platform for sharing ideas, knowledge and generating initiatives for the development of the people of/in North Bugisu in Bugisu Sub-region. This includes, development of an orthography to aid the development of learning material in local language, providing professional development services (training, mentoring and other supports). Secondarily, to maximize the networking and partnerships with local and international community so that they all can support the development agenda in Bugisu Sub-region. In addition to this, too mobilize funds for the core functioning, and for programs or work that will further the mission and objectives of the Initiative.

Context of Research's Target

Bugisu sub region, formerly Bugisu district of Uganda has two main different language dialects, one used in North Bugisu and the other used in South Central and South Bugisu. The language dialect of Southern, inclusive of Central is generally called Lumasaba(Lubuya) whereas the one in North is called Lugisu(Ludadiri). The two language dialects have very significant differences. This was identified and highlighted in the Lumasaba Orthography with a promise to take corrective action at a later date and this promise has not been fulfilled. Currently educational materials being used in early learner schools are exclusively in the Lumasaba dialect to a great disadvantage of school children of North Bugisu.

Importance of the Research

The IREAD ECDL's chairman Mr. Richard Masereje (located third from the left ) with Uganda's National Curriculum development Centre (NCDC)