New curriculum: what you need to do to excel
Self-directed learning is particularly important under this curriculum which seeks to empower learners to direct their learning, with a teacher serving as a facilitator of the process.
Students of Mbarara High being trained in woodwork. (Credit: David Lukkiza)
NewVision Reporter
@NewVision
EDUCATION | NEW | CURRICULUM
In February 2020, the Government rolled out the new lower secondary education curriculum with the aim of meeting learners’ needs, especially in regard to skills training and enhancement.
Under this curriculum, one is required to complete a maximum of two projects per term. Unlike previously, teachers are now required to test a student at the end of each topic to find out if they understood it, under what is called activities of integration.
For instance, a student might be asked to produce a dummy of a wetland system to show that they understood the topic. They also can undertake a project in any subject of their choice each term. For instance, choosing to grow tomatoes as a project.
The projects and activities of integration are especially important, because they will constitute 20% of the end of O’ level examinations administered by the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB). All the activities of integration and projects done over four years will constitute the 20% to be submitted to UNEB.
Thus, teachers will start marking students’ work for 20% in their first term. The UNEB exams will account for 80% of the final score.
Here is what you need to know to excel under the new curriculum. Grace Kitego, a teacher at Namilyango College, says depending on the volume of content to be covered under a topic, a student might carry out an activity of integration to do in one subject at the end of every week or two weeks.
Nyakasura School cattle keeping student milking. (All Photos by David Lukiiza)
“If the school you are in starts teaching in the first week of the term, it means you might have activities of integration to undertake a few days after you will have started school.
Be active
Abel Ndiunze, a chemistry and physics teacher at Katooke Secondary School in Kyenjojo district, says you need to actively participate in all school activities to excel.
This, he adds, will enable you to comprehend topics and make it easy for you to undertake your activities of integration and projects.
Ndiunze says taking part in activities like group discussions will enhance your knowledge about a topic and increase your chances of excelling in the school-based assignments and UNEB exams.
“Raise ideas in your discussion groups and take advantage of opportunities to make presentations. Engage your teachers so you can learn more,” he states.
Direct your learning
Self-directed learning is particularly important under this curriculum which seeks to empower learners to direct their learning, with a teacher serving as a facilitator of the process.
This represents a break from the traditional way of teaching, which makes the teacher direct the learning process.
S.2 entrepreneurship students at Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary School, Rukungiri of Food and Nutrition class.
“You need to be creative to have a project each term,” Ndiunze says. “You can come up with projects, for instance, in carpentry, horticulture, gardening, or poultry, and it is the marks from these projects which will determine your performance.”
Look beyond academics
Ndiunze explains that these projects and activities are not only intended to help you excel in academics alone, but to also expand your critical thinking and creative capabilities.
“You need to find solutions to challenges and be good at communication,” he says.
Hands-on learning
Brian Mugisa, the deputy head teacher at Rubona Secondary School in Bunyangabu district, says a student’s major role in the classroom will not be taking notes as was the case before.
“We need your full participation in your learning. Instead of being given exams at the beginning of the term, you will be introduced to hands-on learning instead,” he says.
Under this new curriculum, schools are not expected to give midterm or end-of-term tests. But schools will give end-of-year exams to prepare you for the end-of-O’level exams.
John Okumu, the manager for secondary schools at the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), says the syllabus is designed to equip learners with the practical knowledge and skills to be creative and solve challenges around them.
“Learners are required to identify problems and look for resources within the community, designing projects that solve these problems. These projects do not have to be perfect solutions to the challenges learners will have identified. They can be imitations of solutions. You could use your science knowledge to create biogas for your village,” Okumu says.