Kampala, September 4, 2024 —
In an open letter addressed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Professor Lawrence Muganga, Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, has called for significant reforms in Uganda’s education system, proposing the end of boarding schools and the elimination of national exams at key educational milestones.
Professor Muganga began by expressing empathy for the challenges currently faced by the President, emphasizing his belief that solutions lie within reach. He proposed two key reforms that he believes could revolutionize education in Uganda.
Firstly, he advocated for the abolition of boarding schools, suggesting that this move would not only be more affordable for both the government and parents but also foster healthier learning environments. According to Muganga, boarding schools often expose students to negative influences, remove them from real-life experiences, and heighten their stress levels. He argued that keeping students in their communities would allow for more practical, real-world learning experiences.
“Boarding schools take students away from real-life experiences and increase their stress. By keeping students in their communities, they can learn in healthier environments and have more practical, real-world learning experiences,” wrote Professor Muganga.
Secondly, the Vice Chancellor called for the elimination of the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) and Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams, which he described as divisive and outdated. He argued that these national exams unfairly label schools as “good” or “bad” based on results and allow some schools to charge exorbitant fees with the promise of high grades. Instead, Muganga recommended adopting a continuous assessment model, a system already implemented in various countries in the Global North.
“National exams do not determine a person’s success in life… By shifting from national exams to continuous assessment, Uganda would save significant resources, which could be reinvested in paying teachers better, building science labs, developing AI-focused learning centers, and expanding classroom facilities,” he noted.
Professor Muganga also praised President Museveni’s advocacy for free education up to Senior 6, aligning with the President’s vision for accessible education for all. He reiterated that education is a public good and emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure that all children can benefit from it.
The letter concludes with a message of confidence in the proposed reforms. “Mr. President, the solutions you seek are within reach… Trust in these reforms, and I believe they will transform Uganda’s education system for the better.”
Professor Muganga’s proposals have sparked discussions among education stakeholders in Uganda, as the nation continues to grapple with the challenges of providing quality education in an evolving global landscape.
