Uganda Christian University (UCU) has officially phased out the admission of students under its old curriculum in the Education Department, aligning with the government’s shift to a competency-based education system.
The move follows Uganda’s transition to a new curriculum for primary and secondary education, which emphasizes skills and competencies over rote learning.
UCU’s decision is aimed at ensuring future teachers are well-equipped to teach using modern approaches.
Competency-Based Learning
Previously, UCU offered degrees such as the Bachelor of Arts in Education and the Bachelor of Science with Education without a strong focus on competency-based training.
This, according to university officials, made it difficult for graduates to effectively teach in the new system.
Rev. Dr. John Kitayimbwa, UCU’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academics, says the university has now integrated personalised learning into its courses.
This approach, he explains, develops lifelong learners who can contribute positively to society.
“If a student is simply taught by a lecturer reading from yellow notes, it becomes difficult for them to handle projects effectively in schools after graduation,” Dr. Kitayimbwa explained.
“Our training must prepare them to teach in a competency-based framework so they can effectively pass on these methods to their students,” he added.
He emphasised that students coming from secondary schools under the new curriculum will expect engaging and practical lessons, rather than traditional lecture-based teaching.
According to Kitayimbwa, Students in Senior Five today are accustomed to interactive learning. If they enter university and find outdated teaching methods, they will disengage.
“We must be ready to challenge them, ask them questions, and encourage discovery-based learning,” he added.
Preparing Teachers
Dr. Kitayimbwa acknowledges that while the government is working to train current teachers, universities must also play a role in ensuring their graduates are classroom-ready.
“We don’t need to produce teachers who will still require government training once they enter schools. Universities must take responsibility,” he said.
Dr. Mary Ocheng Kagoire, Dean of the School of Education at UCU, echoed this sentiment, saying the university is proactively retooling its training approach in response to changes in the education sector.
“Our focus is on a personalized system of instruction, where learning is tailored to each student’s needs, interests, and strengths,” she said.
To facilitate this transition, UCU has introduced new courses, including a Bachelor of Primary Education and a revised Bachelor of Secondary Education.
The goal is to train teachers more efficiently, reducing the time required for qualification.
Under the old system, a primary school teacher had to spend nearly nine years upgrading from Grade 3 to a full Bachelor of Education degree.
With the government’s new Higher Education Access Program, Grade 3 teachers can now qualify for a bachelor’s degree after a nine-month bridging program.
Dr. Kagoire emphasised that integrating personalised instruction with a competency-based curriculum will ensure teachers focus not just on knowledge, but also on values and skills.
“We are looking at students as individuals, not just as a whole class,” she said.
UCU-Ministry’s Collaboration
UCU is coordinating its curriculum changes with the Ministry of Education and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to ensure compliance with national policies.
“We have engaged with NCHE on several occasions. Before launching any curriculum, it must be approved by NCHE, ensuring that it is fit for purpose,” Dr. Kitayimbwa noted.
Beyond the Education Department, UCU is also integrating competency-based learning into other faculties.
Prof. Angella Napakol, the Director of Academic Affairs, highlights that departments such as ICT and Journalism are emphasizing practical skills.
“In the Faculty of Engineering, students are already involved in practical work like computer repairs and consultancy in their first year,” she said.
She added that in Journalism, students engage in hands-on activities from the beginning, including writing for the university newspaper and producing multimedia content.
Church of Uganda’s Support
The Church of Uganda, a key stakeholder in Uganda’s education sector, has welcomed UCU’s reforms.
Rev. Dr. Paul Kakooza, Director of Education at the Church of Uganda Province, said the changes will help deliver a holistic education.
“The Church is committed to ensuring that when we teach, we address the head, the heart, and the hand,” he said, adding that many East African countries have already adopted the competency-based curriculum, and UCU’s leadership in this area is commendable.
The Church of Uganda operates 26% of Uganda’s primary schools and 17.6% of secondary schools, making it a major player in the education system.
Rev. Dr. Kakooza emphasized that the Church will not solely rely on the government to train teachers but will work with universities like UCU to enhance teacher education.
A better approach
UCU’s commitment to modernizing its curriculum reflects broader changes in Uganda’s education sector.
With a focus on skills, values, and personalised learning, the university aims to produce teachers who are not only knowledgeable but also adaptable to the evolving educational landscape.
As competency-based education gains traction across Africa, UCU’s reforms could serve as a model for other institutions looking to prepare their students for the future of teaching.
END
English 