KAMPALA – Dr. Lawrence Muganga, Vice Chancellor of Victoria University Kampala, has praised Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) for introducing a competency-based learning curriculum. This innovative approach aims to revolutionize Uganda’s education system, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and real-world relevance.
Introduced in 2019 as part of Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP III), the new curriculum marks a significant shift from traditional teaching methods. Developed by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), it seeks to equip students with skills and competencies essential for the 21st century.
Dr. Muganga took to Twitter to express his admiration for the Ministry’s efforts. “I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for the remarkable efforts you have made in improving the assessment methodology for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE),” he tweeted.
He specifically highlighted the new Mathematics Examination Paper 1, saying, “Reading through… its scenarios is both refreshing and inspiring. This approach to assessment goes beyond memorization and encourages significant planning, application, and critical thinking to solve problems.”
Dr. Muganga applauded the shift towards competency-based learning, noting, “It is a promising beginning that invokes critical thinking, careful planning, creativity, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and real-world relevance. This new curriculum carries the hope and lifeline we need as a country.”
The Vice Chancellor emphasized the importance of this transformation, stating, “Our education system should prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. The new curriculum is a significant step towards achieving this goal.”
Dr. Muganga also suggested that the Ministry consider implementing competency-based learning at the A-Level. “Expanding this approach to A-Level will further enhance the quality of education in Uganda,” he noted.
While commending the efforts, Dr. Muganga pointed out an area for improvement. “Some examples used may not be fully inclusive for regions like Karamoja or remote areas,” he said. “Ensure that all examples are relevant and relatable to every community, regardless of location, to achieve truly inclusive education.”
Dr. Muganga emphasized the importance of using relatable examples, saying, “By incorporating examples and scenarios that resonate with all students, we can overcome this challenge and provide fair assessments for everyone.”
He congratulated the Ministry and UNEB on their excellent work, stating, “This is the kind of transformation we need as a country, and it fills me with hope for a brighter future. I am passionate about Authentic Education, and seeing these positive changes reinforces my belief that one day our education system will effectively serve every corner of this nation.”
Dr. Muganga’s endorsement of the new curriculum reflects his commitment to improving Uganda’s education system. As a renowned educationist, his input highlights the significance of this reform and its potential impact on Uganda’s future.
