Secondary school teachers across Uganda are struggling to adapt to the new A-Level curriculum format as a lack of readiness and delayed training threaten its implementation.
The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) on March 6 began a weeklong online training session for the aligned Advanced Level Secondary Curriculum. The training comes a year after the curriculum was launched in February 2025, but with only seven months remaining before the first cohort sits for the 2026 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations.
Filbert Baguma, the general secretary of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union, said uncertainty persists among educators who have yet to master the new assessment format. He noted that the training should have occurred much earlier to properly prepare both staff and students.
Brother Charles Dominic Kagoye, head teacher of Sacred Heart Kiteredde Secondary School in Kyotera District, described the curriculum as having teething problems. He cited a critical shortage of textbooks, laboratory equipment and ICT tools, particularly for science subjects.
Kagoye also noted that many teachers are still adjusting to the competence-based approach used at the lower secondary level and require significant retooling for A-Level instruction.
In Kole District, Joshua Ewo Moi, the deputy head teacher of Fr. Aloysius Secondary School, admitted that teachers continued to use the old assessment system throughout last year because they were unfamiliar with the new requirements. He noted a disconnect between O-Level and A-Level instructors regarding the competence-based model.
NCDC spokesperson Taddeo Bwambale said the current training is specifically for the aligned curriculum unveiled last year. The agency has introduced a concept called a construct, which combines related learning outcomes to help students demonstrate mastery through real-life applications.
However, school leaders in rural areas expressed concern that resource disparities and poor internet connectivity are hampering the rollout. Hasadu Kirabira, chairperson of the National Private Education Institutions Association, criticized the government for failing to sufficiently pilot the curriculum and for relying on online training that excludes those without reliable network access.
In Buikwe District, Allied Teachers Secondary School Director Eliot Achan said the absence of guiding books has left teachers to fly blind. Similar sentiments were echoed by educators in Sheema and Zombo districts, who reported using old textbooks to try to align with new requirements.
Despite the challenges, some institutions reported smoother transitions. Hamm Ahimbisibwe, head teacher of Mbarara High School, said his staff conducts regular training rounds to stay aligned with NCDC standards.
The ongoing training covers 23 subjects, including sciences, humanities, languages and vocational courses.
