education 21 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Experts Urge Inclusive Curriculum Reforms for All Ugandan Learners
Education experts and officials are emphasizing the need for Uganda's ongoing curriculum reforms to be inclusive, ensuring they cater to the diverse needs of every learner to foster a skilled and adaptable workforce. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/curriculum-reforms-must-benefit-every-learner-education-experts-say-5567082
Uganda’s education sector is undergoing significant curriculum reforms, and experts are stressing the importance of ensuring these changes benefit every student.
During the Second International Conference on Curriculum Development, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, highlighted that effective curriculum reforms must be child-centered. She stated that a supportive learning environment, encompassing curriculum, teachers, and resources, is crucial for students to reach their full potential.
The conference, themed “Innovative curriculum approaches for sustainable education in the globalised world,” brought together over 700 participants to discuss the path forward. Dr. Bernadette Nambi Karuhanga, Director of the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), urged stakeholders to prioritize the learner in all reform efforts, ensuring reforms translate into meaningful competencies and improved opportunities.
However, challenges such as inadequate teacher training and a shortage of instructional materials were identified as potential roadblocks to successful implementation. Dr. Richard Irumba, Deputy Director at NCDC, acknowledged the low learner-to-material ratio, though he noted an increase in the budget for materials and the adoption of blended training approaches for teachers.
UNICEF’s Chief of Education in Uganda, Ms. Mukhamadieva Barno, emphasized that curriculum, teaching methods, assessment, and teacher development must work in tandem. She called for technology and innovation to remain human-centered and inclusive, particularly for marginalized groups like learners with disabilities and refugees.
The reforms aim to shift Uganda’s education system from rote learning to a competence-based model, focusing on practical skills and critical thinking, with updated primary, secondary, and higher education curricula planned.