Uganda's Curriculum Reforms Need Public Engagement

Uganda has been navigating changes to its education curriculum for over a decade, a process marked by starts, stops, and significant hurdles. Initially announced for a January 2020 rollout, the new Lower Secondary Curriculum faced parliamentary intervention in February 2020, halting its implementation for a second time. Critics cited a lack of essential resources such as textbooks, teaching aids, and adequately trained teachers as key deficiencies.

Despite these initial setbacks, by mid-2022, a considerable number of schools had registered for the new curriculum, a positive sign for its eventual adoption. Teachers, however, highlighted challenges inherent in the learner-centered approach, noting the crucial need for internet access, textbooks for research, and materials for project-based learning.

By 2024, significant progress was made. The Ministry of Education, the Uganda National Examination Board (Uneb), and curriculum developers managed to overcome many of the earlier hitches. This success was demonstrated by the training of over 50,000 examiners and the successful administration of O-Level examinations under the new curriculum for the first time that year.

The next phase involves extending these reforms to A-Level and higher education. However, this transition is encountering similar obstacles, including a shortage of instructional materials and insufficient teacher training. The National Council for Higher Education aims to conclude its curriculum rollout by 2028, the same year Uneb plans to introduce new Senior Six grading systems.

With less than two years remaining, education authorities must intensify public consultation, expedite material development, and launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign. As the lower secondary curriculum experience illustrated, understanding these changes should extend beyond educators and officials to include parents, who bear the financial burden of education and need to comprehend the rationale behind the reforms and how their children’s grades will be assessed.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/editorial/educate-the-public-on-curriculum-changes-5555794