The Uganda National Examinations Board ( UNEB ) has requested for an extension of time to effectively implement the phasing out of the old curriculum.
While addressing media Ms Jennifer Kalule the UNEB spokesperson said the move is to aid students who will fail exams this year to have a second chance and do exams next year under the old curriculum.
“ this is the first time Uganda is changing the curriculum but we know there are students who fail exams, those who don’t sit for exams due to reasons or other and we also have adult learners,”she said.
However UNEB has recognized the importance of allowing a sufficient transitional period to ensure a smooth and successful implementation of the new curriculum.
The ministry of Education and sports in 2020 rolled out the new lower secondary curriculum where schools are supposed to asses learners based on their competence through activities of integration and projects.
According to the new curriculum 20 percent of the final UCE results will come from the continuous assessment done by the school and submitted to UNEB through a portal and the 80 percent will come from the final exam itself yet initially learners have been working out of 100 percent in UNEB exams.
However the complexity of such a transition necessitates careful planning and coordination to avoid any potential disruption to students’ learning experience and academic progress.
Balancing Structural Changes and Academic The decision to transition from an old curriculum to a new one involves significant modifications to teaching methodologies, assessment practices, and learning outcomes.
UNEB is keen on ensuring that these structural changes are introduced gradually without compromising the consistency and quality of education provided to students.
Meanwhile to effectively implement the new curriculum, it is crucial to equip teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge.
UNEB recognizes the importance of investing in comprehensive teacher training and capacity-building programs.
This additional time will enable teachers to acquire the requisite competencies and effectively adapt their teaching methods to align with the new curriculum’s specifications.
UNEB is also committed to ensure that the new curriculum meets the desired quality standards by extending the transition period which allows rigorous evaluation of the new curriculum’s effectiveness in achieving its intended goals.
This approach assist in identifying areas that require further refinement or adjustments to enhance the overall effectiveness of the education system.
The extended time frame sought by UNEB reflects a crucial consideration for the well-being and academic progress of students.
