Work towards creating a skilled and adaptable workforce, Museveni tells education stakeholders
Museveni said the school curriculum must be aligned with the advances of the private sector, which is the biggest employer in Uganda.
Finance State Minister Cissy Mulondo breaking the ground for the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Luwero Secondary School during the school's diamond jubilee celebrations held on Friday. (Photo by Frederick Kiwanuka)
________________
President Yoweri Museveni has urged stakeholders in the education sector to work towards creating a skilled and adaptable workforce in order to avoid swelling the number of unemployed Ugandans.
Museveni said the school curriculum must be aligned with the advances of the private sector, which is the biggest employer in Uganda.
"Education per se is not enough if it creates people who only want white-collar jobs with no skills to enable them to produce goods and services. It will only swell the number of the unemployed," Museveni said on Friday (August 14).
The president's message is contained in his written speech, which was read by the state minister for finance, Cissy Mulondo, during a ceremony at which Luwero Secondary School celebrated their diamond jubilee.
The school, which is one of Luwero's oldest secondary schools, was established in 1964 as a church of Uganda-founded institution.
Museveni urged all Ugandan educational institutions to priotise teaching of science and technology, saying it is the pivot of all development in society.
Museveni hailed Luweero Secondary School for their contribution towards the development of human capital in Uganda by producing cadres in various disciplines.
"Over the years, you have nurtured doctors, teachers, public servants, entrepreneurs, etcetera, etcetra," Museveni said.
He congratulated the current school administration, the alumni and founders upon reaching a diamond jubilee. "Reaching a diamond jubilee is a major milestone in the life of any academic institution," Museveni pointed out.
The President said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government has consistently prioritised education through programmes such as universal primary education and universal secondary education, adding that this was because education is one of the major catalysts for socio-economic transformation.
Museveni advised all learners to remain focused on their studies, avoid distractions and risky behaviours that can derail them from achieving their goals.
The President contributed sh40m towards the diamond jubilee preparations and promised to support the construction of a multi-purpose hall at the school.
Kampala state minister Kabuye Kyofatogabye also delivered sh20m on behalf of Gen. Salim Saleh.
Luwero bishop, Wilson Kisekka, who was the main celebrant, thanked the NRM government for supporting schools and for allowing the church to have a say in the running of their schools.
The school headteacher, Ronald Kato, spoke warmly about the school's staff, mentors and founders.
He praised the school’s transformation from humble beginnings to a model institution, attributing the school’s growth to having a vision, faith, and collective effort of founders, staff, and supporters.