By George Bukenya
As we prepare to commemorate the International Day of Education on 21st March 2024, government has moved to adopt a compulsory Universal Primary Education and funds meant to cater for the program have already been budgeted for in next financial year.
This was revealed by the Minister of State in charge of Higher Education Dr. Chrysostom Muyingo at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala. He informed reporters that a total of UGX 309 billion have been earmarked to cater for the program.
“Government has budgeted for such program with an aim of strengthening compulsory and Universal Primary Education for every child to be in school. It’s a responsibility of every parent and leader to see that children go to school.’’ Dr. Muyingo stated.
He further said, “ We want to put a mechanism which will help every Uganda who want to study to access learning at all levels. “
Although some politicians are punching holes in the new lower level secondary school curriculum that its no different from the old one, the director basic and Secondary education at the ministry of Education and Sports, Mulindwa Ismail said that its moving on well and the initial challenges have been addressed for instance training of teachers.
Mr. Milindwa admitted that at first there were challenges of the trainers on understanding how and the methodology of implementing it but now they have gotten acquainted with it and are properly disseminating the necessary material to the learners.
“ All teachers are now up to the task because the National Curriculum Development Council (NCDC) have trained them, we had trained a smaller number, 30% but by January this year a sizeable number have been trained under the cascade model.’’ Mr. Mulindwa explained.
The minister also reiterated Mulindwa’s explanation saying that the learners have liked the new curriculum because it involves touching on what they are learning about, its hands on.
“ I have moved in almost all parts of the country trying to make a simple survey and what I noticed is that learners have liked so much the new curriculum due to its style on implementation which is hands on.’’ Dr. Muyingo explained.
He also said that this curriculum apart from being competence based and training learners to be self-assertive and alert, it also inculcates work values because in all subjects’ learners have to put it in the perspective of working and it emphasizes values such as being honest, integrity and humility.
According to the Minister, government has also put a side UGX 120 billion this academic year for rehabilitation of primary school structures and such funds will be increasing every academic year. A total of 247 seed schools will be constructed in 37 districts.
It should be noted that since the inception of UPE program in1996, enrolment of pupils have tremendously increased from 2.5 million to 8.6 million in 2023 and gender parity index also improved from 0.88 in 1997 to 1.04 in 2021. The number of teachers’ recruitment have also gone up from 81,564 in 1996 to 136, 819 in the year 2023.
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The International Day of Education 2024 will be commemorated under the Theme: “ Learning For the Lasting Peace.’’ The national function will be held at Kololo Independence grounds and president Museveni will grace it.