education 1 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Make This Holiday Productive: Read, Learn Skills, or Launch a Business
Ugandan youth are urged to transform school holidays from idle time into opportunities for skill-building, habit-forming, or starting small businesses, aligning with the new competency-based curriculum. Parents should actively guide their children towards practical experiences and real-world problem-solving. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/this-holiday-read-a-book-learn-a-skill-or-even-start-a-business-5443016
School holidays in Uganda often see young people lounging late, glued to phones, with little progress by term’s end. But this season offers a prime chance to change that narrative.
Instead of wasting time, teenagers can develop skills, form positive habits, or kick off modest ventures. This matches the goals of the updated curriculum, emphasizing innovation and practical thinking beyond the classroom.
Holidays provide rare flexibility—no exams, no rigid schedules—allowing more achievements in weeks than imagined. The key is wise use of time by youth, parents, and guardians.
Valued skills include digital ones like graphic design, coding, or freelancing; hands-on trades such as tailoring, baking, or carpentry; and services like tutoring or errands. No capital needed—just observation of neighborhood needs, from cleaning to snacks.
Parents play a vital role: explore markets or workshops with kids, connect them to mentors, and allow safe failures to foster resilience. This builds competency-based learners who solve real problems.
Youth, act now: pick a skill, offer a service, read a business book, or share ideas with parents for income-generating pursuits. Small steps today shape tomorrow’s leaders.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)