Private Schools Decry Suspension of Educational Trips, Fear Impact on New Curriculum

The recent directive from the Ministry of Education and Sports to suspend all school trips has sparked worry among private school proprietors and teachers. They fear the prolonged ban, implemented in response to a surge in road accidents, could significantly disrupt practical learning opportunities, particularly for students under the new competency-based curriculum.

Jose Busiku Wanemba, Chairperson of the National Private Educational Institutions Uganda (NPEIU), emphasized the crucial role of these excursions in experiential learning. “Suspending school trips is not the solution to the problem of road accidents,” Wanemba stated, expressing hope that the suspension would be short-lived. He highlighted a critical disconnect: while trips are halted, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) continues to assess practical skills, leaving schools uncertain how students will acquire and demonstrate these competencies without field-based experiences.

Wanemba advocated for comprehensive road safety enhancements rather than a blanket ban on educational trips, viewing them as integral to a well-rounded education. Meanwhile, Gerald Makamba, an Education Officer with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), confirmed that the authority would strictly enforce the Ministry’s directive within Kampala. “No school will be allowed to resume educational trips until we receive further guidance from the Ministry of Education,” Makamba assured parents and students that the measure is a temporary safeguard while transport and travel arrangements are under review following recent accidents.

These discussions took place during the closing ceremony of a handwriting competition for lower primary students at the Uganda School for the Deaf. The event, supported by BIC, saw pupils from 32 Kampala schools participating. Representatives from BIC noted the importance of such initiatives in improving foundational literacy and writing skills, essential for overall learning outcomes and inclusivity. The Ministry’s suspension remains in effect until new safety guidelines are established.