Uganda to roll out new nursery curriculum next year

The Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, is preparing to launch a new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) curriculum in the coming year. This initiative follows years of development and piloting and comes shortly after the introduction of the ECCE policy, which focuses on improving access to quality and inclusive early learning services.

According to Adela Rucecera, a specialist at the National Curriculum Development Centre, the previous curriculum lacked specific guidance for different age groups and was not sufficiently learner-centered. The revamped curriculum, however, will prioritize the child’s learning process within a competence-based framework. Teachers will guide children based on their existing knowledge, moving away from a teacher-directed approach.

The new curriculum is structured into thematic areas, terms, competencies, learning outcomes, activities, and assessment strategies, transitioning from broad guidance to a directly implementable classroom resource. It explicitly differentiates learning for baby class (3 years) and middle class (4 years), ensuring a clear educational progression. Language development will also see a significant change, separating early literacy skills in local languages from those in English. Initially published in English, the curriculum will require teachers to translate it into local dialects for easier understanding by young learners.

Professor Anthony Mugagga, principal of Makerere University’s College of Education and External Studies, views the shift to a competence-based curriculum at an early age positively, noting its potential for children to grasp foundational knowledge. However, he stressed the critical need for adequate teacher training on the new curriculum before its widespread implementation. Professor Mugagga also suggested that the government consider reducing taxes on materials essential for practical learning activities, such as timber and sewing supplies, to ensure affordability and equitable access for all schools.