The Top Ten Things You Should Know About Education In Uganda
September 16, 2024
THE TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT EDUCATION IN UGANDA
10. Uganda's education system follows a 7-4-2-3 structure: seven years of primary school (P1-P7), four years of lower secondary, two years of upper secondary, and three or more years at university or vocational school.
9. In 1997, Uganda adopted a Universal Primary Education policy, introducing free primary education for all children. Enrollment in primary school tripled that year
8. English is the official language of instruction starting in primary four (P4), but lessons are often taught in local languages in early primary grades.
7. In 2007, Uganda became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to introduce universal secondary education.
6. Students in Uganda take national exams, which determine their progression to the next education level.
• Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) after seven years of primary education.
• Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) after four years of lower secondary education.
• Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) after two years of upper secondary.
5. Despite universal primary and secondary education, educational costs account for 6 out of 10 students leaving school. Challenges like large class sizes and teacher shortages impact the education students receive. Families want to send their children to private schools that many cannot afford.
4. There is an increased focus on vocational and technical education to equip students with practical skills for the job market. The most popular areas of study include:
• Agriculture
• Construction and Carpentry
• Information Technology and Computer Skills
• Tailoring and Fashion Design
• Auto Repair
3. There has been a lot of progress in closing the gender gap in education. However, girls still face more barriers to education than boys, especially in rural areas. Factors such as early marriage and pregnancy contribute to higher dropout rates for girls. Pregnancy accounts for 8% of girls who leave school.
2. According to UNICEF, more children than ever are attending school.
• 4 out of 10 young children aged 3 to 5 years attend early childhood education
• 8 out of 10 children aged 6 to12 years attend primary school
• more than 1 in 4 children attend secondary school.
1. Uganda's National Inclusive Education Policy was designed to accommodate all learners, regardless of their disability or other challenges. The policy aims to provide children with disabilities access to quality education in the same learning environments as their peers. Additionally, the national curriculum was adapted, allowing for flexible learning approaches, individualized instruction, and the use of assistive technologies.