Experts to review African curricula

PIC: The director National Curriculum Centre (NCDC), Grace Baguma and director basic secondary education Nsumba Lyazi addressing the press on the African Curriculum Organisation meeting to be held in Uganda. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)

EDUCATION
 
KAMPALA - African curriculum experts have resolved to join hands to revitalise education curriculums on the continent.

The National Curriculum Centre (NCDC) on Thursday announced that African Curriculum Organisation (ACO), which had collapsed in 1970s would be revived during a stakeholders conference in Kampala from May 28-31.

This will be during the International Conference on Curriculum for Sustainable Learning (ICCSL) at the Imperial Golf View Hotel in Uganda, under the theme, "curriculum for sustainable learning."

NCDC is joined by other partners, including Vision Group, World Vision, Educate, UNEB and National Council for Higher Education.

ACO was formed in 1967, with the aim of promoting curriculum development, research and development of educational materials.

However due to funding gaps, especially with the fall of colonialism in African and post-independence political instabilities, it collapsed.

While addressing journalists at NCDC in Kyambogo, Kampala on Thursday, the director NCDC, Grace Baguma, disclosed that Kampala was selected secretariat to revive the organisation.

"Without a well-designed and developed curriculum that is aligned with the national educational goals, the education systems in Africa will not compete with other systems from other continents," Baguma said.

She disclosed that during a meeting of African curriculum directors in Adis Ababa, Ethiopa, they resolved to address the gaps in education curriculums on the continent in order to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Baguma added that Uganda's education curriculum, which is rated among the best in the world, would form a basis to guide reviews during the conference.