The permanent secretary in the ministry of Education and Sports, Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, has cautioned teachers’ associations against focusing solely on examination performance.
She urged them instead to provide qualitative and holistic education that equips learners with practical skills to solve societal problems.
Turyagyenda made the remarks while officiating at the opening of the 34th Uganda Muslim Teachers’ Association (UMTA) convention and annual general meeting at Kawempe Muslim Secondary School.
The two-day convention was held under the theme: “Inspiring Action, Enhancing Visibility, Transforming Muslim Education.”
She stressed the need to expand the Competence-Based Curriculum beyond lower secondary school to include upper secondary, tertiary institutions, universities and primary schools.
According to Turyagyenda, this would help equip learners with practical skills and enable them to become job creators rather than job seekers, thereby addressing the growing challenge of unemployment.
Turyagyenda said the education system should prepare learners to respond to real-life challenges and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The president of UMTA, Musa Kakomo Musoke Mpungu, revealed that the association has acquired one acre of land in Bweyogerere, Kira Municipality in Wakiso District, where it plans to construct a modern teachers’ resource centre.
He said the proposed facility will include a teachers’ training wing, conference halls, recreation centres, accommodation facilities and the association’s headquarters.
Mpungu said the project is expected to cost about Shs 2.5 billion.
He added that UMTA has strengthened its programme for research and teacher retooling, particularly for primary school teachers, by encouraging them to upgrade from Grade Three certificates to diploma and degree qualifications.
