The executive director of Cavendish University Uganda David Mutabanura has backed competency-based education, saying the learning approach equips students with practical skills to solve real-life problems and prepares them for employment and self-reliance.
Mutabanura made the remarks during the inaugural inter-school project competition hosted at the university’s campus in Kampala, where he commended secondary schools that have embraced Uganda’s new competency-based curriculum.
He said the approach shifts the focus from memorising information and passing examinations to applying knowledge, developing practical skills and finding solutions to everyday challenges.
“I am impressed by the secondary schools that have decided to prioritise the new curriculum, which focuses on practical skills and real problem-solving,” Mutabanura said.
He urged secondary school learners to carry the practical skills they acquire into higher institutions of learning, noting that universities and other tertiary institutions should build on the foundation established at school level.
Mutabanura said learners who develop practical skills are better positioned to respond to challenges, create opportunities for themselves and become self-reliant, rather than depending solely on academic qualifications to secure their livelihoods.
He said Cavendish University Uganda had adopted a student-centred learning approach that emphasises practical work and problem-solving, in line with the principles of competency-based education.
According to Mutabanura, the university is also training instructors to strengthen the delivery of practical skills, while some of its courses and programmes are being adjusted to align with the competency-based approach.
He said the changes were intended to ensure that university graduates acquire knowledge and skills that can be applied in the workplace and in their communities.
However, Mutabanura called on the government to increase the number of training centres and provide the tools and equipment needed to support practical learning.
He said adequate facilities and trained personnel were necessary for the effective implementation of competency-based education, particularly in institutions where learners need access to equipment to develop hands-on skills.
Meanwhile, Bernard Ochan, the dean of students at Cavendish University Uganda, urged secondary schools to prioritise practical learning to prepare learners for their future careers and other opportunities.
Ochan also appealed to parents to choose schools that have embraced the new curriculum and are committed to helping learners develop practical competencies.
He said education should enable learners to acquire skills that they can use to address challenges, earn a living and contribute to society.
The inaugural inter-school project competition brought together students from several secondary schools, including St Henry’s High School, St Cyprian High School in Kyabakadde and Seeta High School.
The competition provided a platform for learners to present projects and demonstrate their ability to apply classroom knowledge to practical situations.
Competency-based education is designed to help learners demonstrate what they know and can do, rather than relying mainly on the recall of information.
The approach is intended to help learners develop skills they can use beyond the classroom, including in further education, employment and entrepreneurship.
