Teacher Learning Circles: A pathway to SDG achievement in Uganda’s refugee settlements
In the heart of Uganda’s refugee settlements, where overcrowded classrooms and limited resources make the teacher–student ratio very low, positive changes are unfolding. Teacher Learning Circles (TLCs) are empowering teachers, bridging the teacher shortage gap, and nurturing inclusive, quality education for all.
In these small, collaborative groups, qualified teachers and volunteers regularly meet to reflect on their teaching practices, share lesson planning strategies, discuss classroom management challenges, and learn from each other’s experiences.
Although schools require fully qualified and trained teachers, recent aid cuts have forced many teachers to abandon the profession due to reduced or no pay. This has led to finding alternative support, such as absorbing community volunteers in schools, to ensure continuity of learning. TLCs provide practical mentorship from experienced peers, bridging the skills and knowledge gap.
Teacher Learning Circles have improved not only teaching, but also the relationships between students and communities. Teachers feel valued and supported and they handle conflict in a calm way that contributes to peaceful coexistence. These values are passed on to the learners and eventually their families and communities.
Whether trained or volunteering, TLCs have provided a space to grow, connect, and lead. By joining or starting a Teacher Learning Circle, schools have become part of a movement that brings hope, healing, and quality education to children of all backgrounds. ‘We are professionals from different fields sharing knowledge freely. This has diversified my teaching methods and improved how I relate to students,’ said Amayo Hillary, who teaches at the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, Yumbe District.
TLCs directly support the achievement of SDGs in the following ways:
SDG4: Quality Education
They improve teaching quality, promote inclusive practices, and strengthen teacher retention, ensuring every child receives equitable and effective education.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Teachers trained in TLCs report better stress management and psychosocial support skills, which benefits both educators and learners.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
TLCs promote gender-sensitive teaching and empower female teachers, contributing to safer and more inclusive learning environments.
In the Teacher Learning Circle, collaboration turns shared challenges into shared victories.
BY Philip Talemwa
Transformative Education Coordinator and Project Lead Danida Strategic Partnership II, Oxfam Uganda.
