The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced the shelving of plans to implement a new curriculum for the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) next year. This decision was communicated by Minister Janet Kataha Museveni during the release of the 2023 Uganda Certificate of Education results at Nakasero State Lodge.
Despite initial steps to review the current A-Level curriculum, Minister Museveni stated that the ministry has decided to slow down the process. Instead, they will concentrate on the ongoing implementation of the new Lower Secondary Level Curriculum.
Since the financial year 2019/2020, the government has invested approximately Shs130b in the development and rollout of the revised Lower Secondary Curriculum. Minister Museveni emphasized the need for additional resources to ensure successful implementation.
The revised lower secondary curriculum, activated in 2020, aimed to streamline subjects and introduce competency-based learner-centered learning. However, plans for a new A-Level curriculum included reforms such as allowing students to study up to five years and vocationalizing upper secondary education.
Uneb will begin assessing Senior Four candidates under the new curriculum starting this year, implying that current Senior Four students will transition to Senior Five with the new A-Level curriculum next year.
Minister Museveni clarified that adopting the revised lower Secondary Curriculum does not compromise students’ subject combinations or their academic preparedness for higher education. She emphasized the need to consolidate the lower secondary curriculum before considering changes to the A-Level curriculum.
Given the constraints in resources, the ministry believes it is unwise to initiate a full review of the A-Level curriculum at this time. Minister Museveni stressed the importance of prioritizing resources for the successful implementation of the revised lower secondary curriculum to avoid disruption in the education sector.
