A great move in the ministry of education

By Rose Namanya 

Very many reasons have been brought up for being Uganda's main causes of unemployment and, therefore, poverty with the biggest being the Education curriculum taken up by Ugandan students. It is said to train more job seekers than makers, which is true.

However, it aroused my happiness to hear that in 2017,the Uganda's lower secondary school curriculum will be reformed; the new system focusing on promoting science subjects, technology and innovation.

When I compare the current curriculum to the 2017 proposed one, the current one is more overloaded and even outdated, which makes it fail to align with the prevailing global job market and demand.

Also, the new curriculum intends to equip students with more practical skills and this will eventually make them more productive. The National Curriculum Development Centre, therefore, made the best move.

Recently, the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and sports added more sugar to the tea by okaying the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets such as smart phones, ipads and laptops in schools.

This decision caught up many people's interest because this will enhance proper learning and teaching. By this way, the rate at which Uganda adopts new global changes as far as technological development is concerned is seen to be promising.

I have come to learn that most of us face challenges in the life we live because we do not move with the world. We are not exposed enough as required and, therefore, we find it difficult to adopt changes in technology not because we do not want but because we have no means.

It was an embarrassment that by the time I joined university, I did not know how to use a computer. It took me time to learn it and operating a smart phone became possible just because I knew how to read and understand.

I could not imagine my six years of secondary school education being wasted on less helpful stuff other than stressing myself reading hard for 'kantab'.But however, other students who had had enough exposure found life very easy and moved on smoothly with the changes.

Recently, it caught my attention when I read about the two Lango students who designed an android phone money app known as Union Money. I credit them for having been so innovative and creative and if exposed to the new technological advancements, they can become more perfect.

Therefore, if greatly connected, the adaptation of the new Education curriculum and the use of Information communication Technology(ICT) gadgets in schools will play a greater role in preparing the 21st century generation to face the world by equipping them with practical skills.

A combination of innovations, technology and science is the only weapon we can use to face and overcome unemployment and poverty in Uganda.