Uganda Ministry of Education Professionalizes Pre-Primary Teaching with New Policy

The Ugandan government has initiated a nationwide effort to professionalize teaching for young learners under the new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy 2025. This policy mandates that all teachers working with children from birth to six years old must be qualified, registered, and licensed.

Introduced in April, the ECCE Policy 2025 also requires Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers and pre-primary schools to register on the Education Management Information System. A significant provision prohibits boarding facilities for children in these institutions.

Safina Mutumba, Assistant Commissioner for Teacher and Curriculum Implementation Support at the Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasized that the government is actively disseminating the policy and its implementation guidelines. This proactive approach aims to ensure the policy is understood and practically applied, rather than becoming a mere document.

“The policy puts emphasis on the professionalisation of the pre-primary and primary teachers,” Mutumba stated. She highlighted the critical need for trained professionals who understand child development, learning processes, and appropriate teaching methodologies for young children.

Under the new guidelines, teachers must possess specific qualifications for handling early years, and be registered and licensed in accordance with the national teacher policy. ECD centers and pre-primary schools also face mandatory registration with the ministry.

Furthermore, the policy stipulates that pre-primary children engage in active learning sessions for a maximum of three hours daily, from 8 am to midday. Any children remaining at the center beyond this period are to receive daycare services, including rest and care.

The ministry is also promoting the use of local languages in teaching, recognizing that children learn best when communicated to in a familiar tongue, fostering a welcoming environment.

Legislation detailing penalties for non-compliance is currently under development. The immediate focus, however, is on educating stakeholders about the policy’s importance and facilitating its implementation. The ministry has also piloted a revised national pre-primary curriculum and is collaborating with other government bodies to finalize a curriculum for children up to three years old.

Teachers are strongly encouraged to upgrade their qualifications, with universities offering relevant diploma and degree programs. The ministry noted a lower-than-expected response to a recent teacher upgrading initiative and urged educators to utilize available opportunities.

https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/govt-moves-to-professionalise-pre-primary-teaching-under-new-policy-5600602