The Education Policy Review Commission, which has spent over four years collecting feedback and ideas from Ugandans on how to improve the country’s education system, has officially wrapped up its work.
The commission, led by Nuwe Amanya Mushega, has completed its final report, and now, the findings and recommendations are ready to be presented to the Education Minister.
The 12-member commission was established in 2021 with the task of reviewing Uganda’s education system and the 1992 Education Policy. Their mission was to create a fresh, comprehensive framework for the country’s education and sports sectors.
Although initially given just one year to complete their work, the commission faced several delays, including the impact of COVID-19 and financial challenges, resulting in multiple extensions.
Prof. Godfrey Bakaira, an education expert at Kyambogo University, expressed frustration over the delays, noting that Ugandans had high expectations for the commission.
He hopes that the report would be presented soon. Dr. Mugimba, the Ministry of Education spokesperson, confirmed that the report was finished and would be shared with the Education Minister soon.
However, he also clarifies that this report would not be the final step. A new committee will be appointed to review the recommendations before they are finalized and presented to the cabinet for approval.
Dr. Mugimba explains that this new committee, which will include members not from the commission, will have the task of finalizing the proposals and producing a document that could become the government’s official policy on education.
The goal is to have everything wrapped up by June, with the new policy potentially starting in the 2025/2026 financial year, depending on funding.
Gathering Ideas from Across the Country
Over the years, the commission has traveled across Uganda, conducting public hearings, field visits, and desk reviews. They have also studied education systems in other countries to understand what works best.
The commission has gathered input from various groups, including institutions, experts, and government agencies, to tackle key challenges facing the education sector.
One of the most talked-about issues was the need to revise the school curriculum. Many people feel the current curriculum is overloaded with unnecessary content, leaving students with less time for essential subjects.
Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, from Uwezo, even suggested that Uganda could reduce the length of primary education from seven years to six if the curriculum was streamlined.
The National Planning Authority (NPA) also suggested tailoring the curriculum to local needs. For example, in areas where cattle-keeping is common, the curriculum could focus more on topics relevant to that lifestyle.
Another major topic was the need to integrate vocational training into education. Many people have called for more focus on teaching practical skills that will help students find work, even if they leave school early. This idea is part of the long-standing plan to give every student the opportunity to learn skills that could improve their chances of earning a living.
Dr. Yusuf Nsubuga, a former education director, explained that while vocational education has been part of the plan since the 1992 Kajubi Report, it hasn’t been fully implemented due to funding issues and a lack of support for vocational training.
He emphasised that it’s time to act on this issue, giving the example of his own son, who found a job cooking before completing formal education, thanks to his practical skills.
Changing Assessments, Early Education
The commission’s work also involved discussions about assessments and exams. Some have suggested scrapping the Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) and replacing it with a more modern approach to evaluating students’ progress.
Additionally, there has been growing support for universal early childhood education (ECD), with the idea that all children should receive at least one year of pre-primary education. Currently, ECD is mainly offered by private institutions, leaving many children without access.
Looking Ahead
In addition to curriculum reforms, other proposals focus on improving the qualifications framework for vocational and academic tracks, streamlining the management and inspection of schools, and addressing the financing of education.
The commission’s final report will soon be released, and the country will be watching to see which ideas make it into the government’s new education policy.
As Uganda waits for the government’s next steps, many hope the commission’s work will lead to meaningful changes that will improve education for everyone in the country.
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