The growing children refugee influx in Uganda (over one million refugee children) prompted urgent action from Save the Children and partners under the Building Resilient Inclusive Systems for Locally Led Education and Protection project (RISE project). According to the Uganda Comprehensive Refugee Response Portal[1], Uganda currently hosts 1,898,338 refugees[2] and over million of these are children.
[1] Country - Uganda, [https://data.unhcr.org/en/country/uga] Accessed on 27th Aug, 2025
[2] Ibid. The figures were last updated on 31st July 2025. (They are updated on end of month basis)
Because of this influx and yet education resources remain constrained, as a first step, a dissemination meeting in Kamwenge District was convened to strengthen support for the Double Shift School System (DSSS). The Double Shift School System (DSSS) is an approach to education where a school divides the learning day into two sessions: a morning shift and an afternoon shift to allow more children to access the same classrooms, teachers, and facilities without overburdening the system.
This model is often used in refugee-hosting or resource-constrained settings where school infrastructure cannot accommodate the high number of learners at once thereby maximizing limited school resources, reduces overcrowding, and ensures that more children including refugees, out-of-school children, and vulnerable learners can access quality education in safe and inclusive environments
The DSSS model, already in place at Rwamwanja Primary School, was introduced to five additional schools including Mahani, Mahega, Nkoma Church of Uganda School, Kyempango, and Nteziryayo Primary Schools. This approach enables schools to accommodate more learners by holding classes in shifts (morning and afternoon), ensuring that both refugee and host community children have the opportunity to learn in safe, inclusive environments despite overcrowding.
District leaders pledged to provide oversight and support to schools adopting the DSSS model, while headteachers committed to mobilizing parents and communities to embrace the approach.
For children in Rwamwanja and surrounding communities, this means fewer children turned away due to lack of space, more time for learning, and renewed hope for a brighter future.
“The double shift system is not just about creating space in classrooms, it is about restoring dignity and opportunity to children who might otherwise miss out on school,” said the DEO-Kamwenge district.
Through initiatives like DSSS, the RISE project continues to fulfill its mission of improving access, retention, and learning outcomes for conflict-affected children, while strengthening education systems and child protection structures across Southwest Uganda.
