Double-shift should not kill standards
Oct 12, 2008
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni, while addressing the nation during celebrations to mark the 46th independence anniversary, stated that he supported the adoption of the double shift system in Universal Secondary Education schools, to enable more students use the limited facilities. <br>
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni, while addressing the nation during celebrations to mark the 46th independence anniversary, stated that he supported the adoption of the double shift system in Universal Secondary Education schools, to enable more students use the limited facilities.
The double shift system is where some students study in the morning, while others study in the afternoon or at night (in some countries). The system was once operational in Uganda, but was scrapped in the early 1980s.
Following the introduction of Universal Secondary Education programme, the ministry decided to reintroduce the double shift system.
Over 155,000 Senior One (SI) students were admitted under the USE programme in 1,149 schools countrywide. Close to 50 schools admitted over 300 students in Senior One.
Some had over 700 students in SI. In order to address congestion in these schools, the ministry has reintroduced the double-shift system.
Thirty-two schools are already operating a double-shift system.
Double-shift system exists in many countries. According to various scholarly studies, 80% of secondary classes in Malaysia are schooled in double-shifts and in Brazil around 60% of students enrolled in upper secondary education are in night schools, because the majority of them must work full-time. Turkey and Romania also have many double-shift schools.
Double-shift system has advantage of not having to build more schools to accommodate increased numbers of pupils. Double-shift system, therefore, is a viable solution for a country seeking to expand its secondary education systems within resource constraints.
But double-shifting places increased burdens on school facilities, resulting in higher maintenance costs and reduced school lifespan. Critics argue that double-shift system compromises the quality of education.
The double shift system is where some students study in the morning, while others study in the afternoon or at night (in some countries). The system was once operational in Uganda, but was scrapped in the early 1980s.
Following the introduction of Universal Secondary Education programme, the ministry decided to reintroduce the double shift system.
Over 155,000 Senior One (SI) students were admitted under the USE programme in 1,149 schools countrywide. Close to 50 schools admitted over 300 students in Senior One.
Some had over 700 students in SI. In order to address congestion in these schools, the ministry has reintroduced the double-shift system.
Thirty-two schools are already operating a double-shift system.
Double-shift system exists in many countries. According to various scholarly studies, 80% of secondary classes in Malaysia are schooled in double-shifts and in Brazil around 60% of students enrolled in upper secondary education are in night schools, because the majority of them must work full-time. Turkey and Romania also have many double-shift schools.
Double-shift system has advantage of not having to build more schools to accommodate increased numbers of pupils. Double-shift system, therefore, is a viable solution for a country seeking to expand its secondary education systems within resource constraints.
But double-shifting places increased burdens on school facilities, resulting in higher maintenance costs and reduced school lifespan. Critics argue that double-shift system compromises the quality of education.