Koreans introduce the 'education Uganda needs'

After they signed three agreements this year already to improve health and construction sectors in Uganda, South Koreans are looking to intensify their bilateral relations in the country — this time focusing on education.

They want to incorporate their ‘mind education' - or call it - ‘education of the heart' approach that focuses on reconditioning learner mindsets in the Ugandan school curriculum.

Over the weekend the Koreans signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ugandan education ministry to start instilling the ‘education Uganda needs'.

Pastor Ock Soo Park of the Korean International Youth Fellowship (IYF) - he is the founder - signed on the agreement (for Koreans), with Dr. Rose Nassali Lukwago, the permanent secretary at the education ministry, signing on behalf of government.

The function was held at the education ministry head office in Kampala, inside the board room at level seven.

"It all starts with the heart (man's actions). It is the heart that feeds the mind (what to dream of). And, in turn, the mind dictates our actions. So, when we have ‘education of the heart', we control our actions," said the IYF founder.

"Most people educate the youths saying ‘don't play games or don't take drugs' but, we explain the structure of people's minds and lead their hearts," he said. 

"What we need is 10 years (to introduce education of the heart). We need to focus on children in primary schools and students at secondary level. After that we will train teachers to carry on (the education)," he said.

Dr. Rose Nassali Lukwago welcomed the Korean ‘heart education' strategy and said her ministry was ready to work with the team "because our youth have had and continue to have such problems of drug abuse and suicide tendencies".

Dr. Jane Egau Okou, the assistant commissioner in charge of instructor and tutor education at the ministry, said the Korean model will be included in the Ugandan education curriculum because it promised a lot of "mindset changing."

"We will train teachers first. And then they can carry on the model. Uganda is looking to become a middle income economy but, it needs a lot of mindset changing," she said.

Felix Kulaigye, the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces chief political commissar, said the population needs to erase the Tuusaba Government Entuyambe mentality and the education came in handy.

"It is about reconditioning how we think and perceive situations around us. All the solutions that man seeks for his needs can be found from inside of him. His heart and will and mind. Why wait for Government? People need to think, because there is always a way from inside," the army officer said.

There was a brief musical interlude that climaxed the signing ceremony, with Korean songbirds Hyemi Choi and Sooyeon Lee from the IYF Gracias Choir entertaining with two gospel songs sang in Luganda. The IYF is a Christian organisation aimed at promoting cultural exchange, fellowship and union amongst youth from all walks of life.

Through the use of ‘mind lectures', IYF teach biblical values to promote leadership skills and cultivate a sense of self amongst young people. IYF aims to promote a healthy mind-set for youth to step up to leadership and break free from their existing limitations.

After the MoU signing at the education ministry, the team moved to State House for a scheduled meeting with President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet.