education 10 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Higher Learning Institutions Urged to Embrace Competence-Based Curriculum
Institutions of higher learning in Uganda are being urged to adapt to the new competence-based curriculum (CBC) to equip graduates with practical skills for the job market and beyond. The shift, which began in secondary schools in 2020, aims to address criticisms of producing graduates lacking real-world solutions. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/don-t-frustrate-competence-based-curriculum-institutions-of-higher-learning-told-5452664
Uganda’s higher learning institutions are facing a crucial transition as they prepare to welcome students who have undergone the country’s new competence-based curriculum (CBC). Officials are stressing the need for these institutions to be flexible and ready to adopt the CBC, which was implemented in secondary schools in February 2020.
The CBC marks a significant departure from the traditional knowledge-based system, focusing instead on developing practical skills and competencies. This move is seen as a game-changer for the nation’s education sector, aiming to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also capable of offering practical solutions to societal challenges.
During a recent workshop at Bishop Stuart University, stakeholders were urged not to hinder this educational reform. “We do not want you to frustrate it,” cautioned Ms. Caroline Kavuma, registrar at the Uganda Institute for Teacher Education. She highlighted past criticisms from the job industry, which has often deemed graduates “half-baked” and lacking practical application for community issues.
Professor John Mugisha, Vice Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University, emphasized the need for a mindset shift among all stakeholders, including lecturers, to focus on critical thinking and real-life skills. “Let’s not be a point of blame on this new curriculum,” he stated, as universities prepare to admit the first cohort of CBC students starting in August.
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has developed new standards to guide institutions in aligning their programs with the CBC. Dr. David Musimaiaami of the NCHE confirmed that these approved standards have been disseminated, with the expectation of a smooth transformation.
Students themselves recognize the importance of this shift. “If our institutions fail to implement it then secondary schools where it is being implemented will be better than us,” commented Ms. Asia Asiimwe, a student at Bishop Stuart University, underscoring the potential impact on the relevance of higher education.