Learners want special needs support built into curriculum
The learners want a curriculum that provides more teachers trained in special needs education to support them, while the Government provides the equipment needed by persons with disabilities.
A cross-section of students attending a debate during the pre-conference for the forthcoming 2nd International Conference at the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) in Kampala on August 18, 2026. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)
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Ugandan learners have called for an inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of pupils with disabilities.
The learners want a curriculum that provides more teachers trained in special needs education to support them, while the Government provides the equipment needed by persons with disabilities.
The call came during a pre-conference debate ahead of the forthcoming 2nd International Conference at the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) in Kampala on August 18, 2026.
Pupils were drawn from four schools, namely Green Hill Academy Kibuli Campus, Kyambogo College School, Wakiso Secondary School for the Deaf and Luigi Giussani High School. They voiced their concerns during the debate.
Anne Nakatende, a senior at Wakiso Secondary School for the Deaf, said the Government should increase the number of teachers who understand sign language.
Nakatende said they face challenges accessing interpreters versed in sign language to share information with fellow students and teachers at schools.
She advised NCDC to document information from local communities to see how it can be shared and used to develop future innovations.
A teacher inspects some of the materials used in early childhood education during an exhibition at the pre-conference for the forthcoming 2nd International Conference at the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) in Kampala on August 18, 2026. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)
A teacher inspects some of the materials used in early childhood education during an exhibition at the pre-conference for the forthcoming 2nd International Conference at the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) in Kampala on August 18, 2026. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)
Elizabeth Nakimuli, a pupil from Green Hill Academy Kibuli branch, said traditional knowledge of zoning crops helps preserve the environment.
Nakimuli said such knowledge should be included in the curriculum; otherwise, it could pave the way for people to damage the environment and undermine sustainability.
Rebecca Tusiime, a Kyambogo College student, said learners share knowledge with peers and communities, yet much of it is excluded from the curriculum.
Dr Joseph Rwothumio, chairperson of the Pre and Past Conference Committee, said debates should be allowed to improve learners’ capacity.
Dr Rwothumio said they had found debates to be very important because they build skills in learners that may not be developed in class. He said research was reflected in the learners’ presentations during the debates.
He said through debates, students learn how to communicate, adding that communication is one of the challenges faced by learners and graduates.
“So, by exposing them to debates, it builds confidence, and through such debates they are able to communicate. We are going to encourage debates as a tool of teaching students in our curriculum,” he said.
The deputy director of NCDC, Dr Richard Irumba, said the forthcoming conference would provide an opportunity to exchange ideas on changing technologies.
Dr Irumba said, “One of the topical questions that have come out is the issue of information and communication technology (ICT) integration, and artificial intelligence in education, where we are seeing a number of trends happening globally”.
He said they were seeing increased ICT adoption in various sectors, with demand on the rise, but noted that several countries across the world were taking a step back and rethinking ICT adoption.