INVITATION:

The Dean, School of Education under the College of Education and External Studies (CEES), cordially invites you to the PhD Public Defense of the following candidate:

Name of the Candidate: Ms. Rukia Nakintu

Title of Thesis: 

The Role of Busing in Pre-primary School Children’s Development in ECD Schools in Kampala and Wakiso Districts.

Date:  Thursday 5th  December 2025.

Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the role of school buses (vans) in shaping social behaviors, emotional skills, and language development among early learners in four Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Kampala and Wakiso Districts in Uganda. Basing on Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theories, the study was guided by three objectives: examining how the school bus environment influences social behaviours; emotional skills; and language development among pre-primary learners, while also addressing safety concerns, regulatory challenges, and transportation effectiveness in Uganda’s early childhood education sector. The study adopted a qualitative approach and an exploratory case study design. A sample of 8 Teachers, 12 Parents and 28 Learners was purposively selected. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and direct observations. Data analysis was thematically done with the help of Nvivo software. The study findings revealed that school buses/vans promote collaborative dialogue, independent response, narrative development, sentence construction, grammar awareness and frequent communication among pre-primary children. The study also revealed that school vans promote social roles and identity, attitudes and relationships, interaction skills, personal growth and development among pre-primary school children. The study further revealed that, school vans experience promotes emotional skills development through socialization and peer interaction, cognitive and language development, reactions and adjustment. The study further revealed that school buses and vans serve as more than mere transportation for pre-primary children; they provide unique environments that can significantly contribute to language development, the interactions occurring during these commutes foster linguistic skills and social communication among young learners. The study concluded that school buses and vans offer opportunities for young children to engage in peer interactions, practice social skills, and establish routines that contribute to their overall social growth and development through learning essential social behaviours. The study lastly concluded that school vans play a vital role in emotional development of children by providing daily environmental experiences that substitutes emotional regulation, and a sense of security. The study recommends that ECD centers should use van rides for interactive language activities, provide visual learning aids, train bus staff in language support, and promote multilingual exposure to boost early language development. Secondly, busing environment should be used to foster positive social behavior in pre-primary children through clear rules, interactive seating, peer interaction, and leadership roles. Lastly, busing should support emotional development by providing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

Supervisors:

1.     Professor Mugagga Anthony Muwagga

2.     Assoc. Prof. Nicholas Itaaga

3.     Dr. Wandera Roberts Otyola  

Your presence and participation will be highly appreciated as we support the student in this important academic milestone.