The government has rallied parents and other education partners to prioritize physical exercise and interaction (play) for children to better their well-being in society.

While addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on April 24, 2024, the Minister of State for Primary Education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu, highlighted learning through physical exercise as a cornerstone for early childhood development.

She said physical interaction is essential to the development of a child since it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.

“Physical exercise and interaction also offer an ideal opportunity for parents to engage fully with their children. It serves as one of the most impactful forces in a child’s life and ongoing learning journey. It acts as a potent vehicle for children’s learning, development, and psychosocial well-being,” Minister Moriku said.

She noted that the Ministry of Education is raising awareness about the importance of physical exercise as a vehicle to facilitate the learning process of children and that it can unlock potential across various stages of education and in parenting, fostering resilience and aiding in recovery after trauma.

“We have carried out regional activities to demonstrate the existing success stories of learning through play to improve children’s learning. So far, this has been done in Karamoja and Busoga and is still ongoing in other regions,” she added.

She noted that teacher training manuals have incorporated learning through play so that they are able to use the approach in schools.

According to Minister Kaducu, in Uganda, the National Day of Play is scheduled for April 30, 2024.