KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Education plans to scrap subsidiary mathematics and ICT as part of a sweeping overhaul of the A-level curriculum scheduled for full national rollout in 2028.
The removal of these subsidiary subjects is part of a broader shift toward a competency-based framework designed to move away from rigid specialization. Under the proposed reforms, the traditional general paper will also be replaced by a new subject known as contemporary studies, which will feature a structured timetable covering health, gender issues and communication.
The National Curriculum Development Centre is currently drafting the framework, which aims to allow students to mix science and humanities subjects. Education officials say the current system, which forces learners to choose strictly between arts or science combinations, limits career opportunities and university admission slots for many students.
The new curriculum will introduce physical education at the A-level, while music will be replaced by performing arts. Technical subjects like metal and wood work will be consolidated into a technology and design category to align with the O-level curriculum.
A pilot program for the new system is scheduled for 2027 in selected public and private secondary schools across the country. The ministry expects to conclude the formal review by the end of 2026.
Vincent Elong, chairperson of the Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union, noted that while the reforms are welcome, the government must prioritize the recruitment and training of teachers to handle the practical demands of the new model.
The overhaul follows long-standing critiques from organizations like the World Bank, which previously characterized Uganda’s secondary curriculum as overloaded and focused primarily on an academic elite rather than practical skill acquisition.
