KAMPALA, Uganda — The International Rescue Committee (IRC), in partnership with the LEGO Foundation and a coalition of organizations, has introduced PlayMatters, an innovative educational initiative that’s transforming learning environments across East Africa. Since its inception in 2020, PlayMatters has engaged over 14,000 teachers and reached nearly 900,000 children, blending traditional teaching methods with the Learning through Play (LtP) approach. This educational model, which is being piloted in refugee-hosting schools in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania, has replaced the traditional “chalk-and-talk “teaching with interactive, child-centered strategies.
The initiative’s third cohort in Uganda has seen a significant cost-effectiveness analysis, conducted through a randomized controlled trial, demonstrating its positive impact.
The analysis revealed that enhancing a teacher’s classroom practice cost approximately $657 per teacher, nearly matching the $668 spent in an earlier Ethiopia evaluation.
Furthermore, the program improved children’s literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning. Comparatively, PlayMatters achieved comparable or stronger results than the Pakistan Reading Project, a similarly large-scale literacy initiative, at similar costs. This has been particularly significant in light of the $97 billion annual financing gap low- and middle-income countries face in reaching global education targets.
PlayMatters is not only cost — effective but also culturally relevant, integrating indigenous play-based learning with modern educational tools.
The program recognizes the importance of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) and aims to create a holistic learning experience that resonates with local communities. Jane Kiguru, Education Program Manager at the IRC, highlighted the transformative power of PlayMatters: “By empowering teachers to engage children in playful learning activities, we are not only enhancing their academic performance but also fostering their social, emotional, and cognitive development. “.
As PlayMatters continues to expand its reach, experts are optimistic about its potential to revolutionize education in East Africa.
The program is poised to leave a lasting impact on the region’s educational landscape, offering a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and equitable future for children in the region.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: International Rescue Committee
