KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports has provided an update on the progress and implementation of the new competency-based curriculum for lower secondary education.
Minister of Education and Sports, Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, presented a statement to Parliament, highlighting the milestones achieved since the curriculum’s introduction in February 2020.
“The new curriculum aims to equip students with practical skills and values, emphasizing generic skills, positive attitudes, and participatory learning approaches,” Dr. Kaducu explained. “This competency-based curriculum is a significant departure from the traditional content-based approach.”
The Ministry has made significant strides in teacher training, with over 41% of targeted teachers trained. This includes 1,600 master trainers and 81,040 teachers trained across the country. The National Curriculum Development Centre developed a Teacher Training Strategy to support teachers in interpreting and understanding the lower secondary curriculum.
“The teacher training strategy has been instrumental in equipping teachers with the necessary skills to effectively implement the new curriculum,” Dr. Kaducu noted. “We recognize that teacher capacity building is crucial to the success of this curriculum.”
The Directorate of Education Standards has provided teacher support in approximately 500 secondary schools, focusing on instructional materials and pedagogical techniques. Additionally, the Uganda National Examinations Board has trained 15 teachers from each school on assessment.
“The assessment component is critical in measuring student learning outcomes,” Dr. Kaducu emphasized. “We have trained teachers on school-based assessment, which will contribute 20% of the total learner scores at the end of the cycle.”
Despite progress, the Ministry acknowledges challenges such as teacher skills gaps and limited instructional materials. To address these, the Ministry is developing sample schemes of work and lesson plans, providing continuous teacher training and online support.
“We are committed to addressing these challenges and ensuring that our teachers are well-equipped to deliver this new curriculum,” Dr. Kaducu assured.
The Ministry is also reviewing the ‘A’ Level curriculum, aligning it with the lower secondary curriculum. The first cohort is expected to progress to Senior Five in 2025.
“The alignment of the ‘A’ Level curriculum with the lower secondary curriculum is critical in ensuring seamless progression and coherence,” Dr. Kaducu explained.
The Ministry’s efforts demonstrate its commitment to improving educational outcomes and contributing to Uganda’s economic development. The new curriculum is expected to provide students with relevant skills for the modern workforce.
“The success of this curriculum depends on the collective efforts of teachers, parents, and stakeholders,” Dr. Kaducu concluded. “We must work together to ensure that our students receive a quality education that prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century.”
