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Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

Abstract

The non-profit organization, From the Bottom to the Top, has been working with the people of west-central Uganda to rebuild the education system, develop increased access to sustainable schools, and promote community involvement in school decisions. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of students, parents, teachers, and community members related to their choice of specific schools in a rural area of Uganda, which have been working in cooperation with From the Bottom to the Top. Interviews focused on students and families’ motivations to choose the school their children attend and observations of sustainable development efforts in their communities. Results suggest that a bottom-up approach to rebuilding well-managed, self-reliant, sustainable schools plays a strong role in school choice decisions. Thematic analysis of the interviews resulted in themes related to gender equality, healthcare, and infrastructure. Empowering schools to be self-sustaining and supporting initiatives related to feminine hygiene products, sustainable potable water systems, and other community needs allows local education systems to thrive.

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