Uganda is backward in maths, biology
EDITOR—Robert Bogere, a physics teacher at Bukanga Seed Secondary School in Iganga district, was crowned this year’s overall best science teacher. Awarding prizes to physics teachers is fine, but we are missing the big picture. I taught physics in Uga
EDITOR—Robert Bogere, a physics teacher at Bukanga Seed Secondary School in Iganga district, was crowned this year’s overall best science teacher. Awarding prizes to physics teachers is fine, but we are missing the big picture. I taught physics in Uganda for more than 10 years.
I also taught the same in southern Africa.When I came to Canada in 1987 and taught here it is when it dawned on me that Uganda’s secondary school physics teaching is way above Canada’s.
Our physics standards are very high and we have to be very proud of this. Chemistry teaching in Uganda is also fine. Our problems are in mathematics and biology. We have been using the same A’level biology textbook for close to 50 years! In maths we still use the same Backhouse. In physics the same Nelkon. What is wrong with us?
Fifty years and no change in text books! A few days ago, I met a young man from King’s College Budo who wants to study Aerospace Engineering. Others are fascinated with Nuclear Physics or Nuclear Engineering. These are the things that they have heard about in Uganda. Poor fellows have no career guidance/councelling. I feel very angry!
The young man was very proud that he has studied Calculus.
Fellow Ugandans, just Calculus is not enough. Digital technology is not based on Calculus. There is discrete maths, etc.... And also Cell, molecular and system biology! Where are we on this scale? I downloaded modern curricula in maths and biology and sent them to Dr Johnston Nkuuhe, who was the NRM adviser on science issues.
He put me in touch with Dr Abel Rwendeire, the then Minister of Education. While Rwendeire was trying to upgrade our curriculum, he was frustrated by Kibuli and Lubaga who wanted more stress on religion, instead.
But what broke Rwendeire’s back were British interests working through the British Council. The British made sure Rwendeire never had a chance with Museveni. British commercial interests want to control us, never to develop out of their dominance and control.
The British dream to dominate IT development was only broken by Mwai Kibaki when he set up a parallel under-sea cable from Mombasa to Dubai. Don’t ever dream that the British did not fuel the Kenya election-related violence to break Kibaki’s economy. Poor man Kibaki!
We Africans never supported him, including our own Dr Muniini Mulera here in Canada. We are always asleep—like children. I have a lot to say on this issue and we have a big struggle on our hands. Not everyone wishes us good.
Mitayo Potosi
mitayopotosi@gmail.com
I also taught the same in southern Africa.When I came to Canada in 1987 and taught here it is when it dawned on me that Uganda’s secondary school physics teaching is way above Canada’s.
Our physics standards are very high and we have to be very proud of this. Chemistry teaching in Uganda is also fine. Our problems are in mathematics and biology. We have been using the same A’level biology textbook for close to 50 years! In maths we still use the same Backhouse. In physics the same Nelkon. What is wrong with us?
Fifty years and no change in text books! A few days ago, I met a young man from King’s College Budo who wants to study Aerospace Engineering. Others are fascinated with Nuclear Physics or Nuclear Engineering. These are the things that they have heard about in Uganda. Poor fellows have no career guidance/councelling. I feel very angry!
The young man was very proud that he has studied Calculus.
Fellow Ugandans, just Calculus is not enough. Digital technology is not based on Calculus. There is discrete maths, etc.... And also Cell, molecular and system biology! Where are we on this scale? I downloaded modern curricula in maths and biology and sent them to Dr Johnston Nkuuhe, who was the NRM adviser on science issues.
He put me in touch with Dr Abel Rwendeire, the then Minister of Education. While Rwendeire was trying to upgrade our curriculum, he was frustrated by Kibuli and Lubaga who wanted more stress on religion, instead.
But what broke Rwendeire’s back were British interests working through the British Council. The British made sure Rwendeire never had a chance with Museveni. British commercial interests want to control us, never to develop out of their dominance and control.
The British dream to dominate IT development was only broken by Mwai Kibaki when he set up a parallel under-sea cable from Mombasa to Dubai. Don’t ever dream that the British did not fuel the Kenya election-related violence to break Kibaki’s economy. Poor man Kibaki!
We Africans never supported him, including our own Dr Muniini Mulera here in Canada. We are always asleep—like children. I have a lot to say on this issue and we have a big struggle on our hands. Not everyone wishes us good.
Mitayo Potosi
mitayopotosi@gmail.com