1. Applying Humanist Principles to Schooling in Uganda
Mustard Seed School
Isaac Newton High School
Kasese Humanist Primary School
Humanist Ethos Project
“Good School” Project

2. The Humanist Ethos Project Uganda Humanist Schools Association (UHSA) in collaboration with Uganda Humanist Schools Trust (UHST) and International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU)
AIMS of conference:
To establish a common vision of Humanist Principles
To embed Humanist Principles into our day-to-day teaching and student care
To apply the principles to school discipline and teaching methods
Create work groups to develop a sense of shared ownership and commitment
Agree, across the Humanist schools, a common set of school rules and procedures for achieving high standards of student welfare and education (including co-curricular)

3. Schools have a duty of care to students…
Every student has a right to expect:
The highest standard of education providing knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for success in the modern world.
A happy and purposeful schooling with abundant opportunities for personal development
Teachers who strive hard to develop the capabilities of every student
A safe, disciplined and caring environment, which is free from physical and verbal abuse
Teachers and students who work together in mutual respect.

4. Principles of Positive Humanism..
Humanism values all human beings
Does not discriminate
Supports democracy & human rights
Promotes personal and social responsibility
Encourages a rational approach to problems
Celebrates human achievement in science, the arts, music etc.
Cares for individuals, society, the environment and future generations
Humanism is relevant to all Human beings!!!

5. Famous African Humanists:
Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia
Julius Nyerere of Tanzania
Nelson Mandela of South Africa

6. Positive Humanism…
..is a philosophy which is capable of drawing together human beings of all beliefs
It is possible to be a Positive Humanist and:
A Christian
A Moslem
An Agnostic
A non-believer
Everyone should be free to make the most of this life so long as they do not hurt others and to live in a “good society” that cares for others.

7. Two key principles relevant to Schools
1. THE GOLDEN RULE: “We should behave towards others as we would like others to behave towards us.” 2. EMPATHY Imagine yourself in someone else’s shoes. Try to feel their joy and their pain. If we see someone with problems then try to help them. These can be used to counsel students who have done something wrong

8. Variations in the Golden Rule around the World
I will act towards others exactly as I would act towards myself.
From a Buddhist text, 500 BCE
This is the sum of duty: Do nothing to others which, if done to you, could cause you pain.
Hindu text, 150 BCE
Love your neighbour as yourself.
Judaism and Christianity, from the Torah (400 BCE) and the Bible (1st Century Common Era)
None of you truly believes, until you wish for your brothers and sisters what you wish for yourself.
Islam – from a saying of the Prophet Muhammad, 7th Century CE

9. Universal Declaration on Human Rights
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

10. Raising Voices Project
Good School Toolkit
The Good School Toolkit is a methodology created to help educators and students explore what makes a healthy, vibrant, and positive school and guide them through a process to create their vision.
In a Raising Voices’ study conducted in 2005 in Uganda, over 60% of children interviewed said they experienced violence at school on a regular basis. To address this urgent issue, we developed The Good School Toolkit, a holistic and sustainable methodology for creating violence-free schools.
“This toolkit teaches me that positive discipline comes from inside. I have clear goals, I work hard and I think of new ways of solving the old problems and to believe in myself.”