The purpose of this meeting was to gain a deeper insight into the views of the Diaspora on how the education system in Uganda can be reviewed in light of their experiences in Kenya.
The Diaspora comprised Ugandan professionals living and working in Kenya, Ugandan students, and High Commission staff.
Hon. Amanya Mushega, the Chair of EPRC and a team of 8 technical officers including the Charge'd'Affaires and Mission staff have traversed various parts of Kenya benchmarking on the Education system.
During the week-long engagements, they visited the Kenyan Ministry of Education and other learning institutions.
The Commission under the directive of the Ministry of Education and Sports, initiated a review in May 2022, aimed at overhauling the country's education and sports sector.
This 12-month project is tasked with addressing several critical issues within the sector, generating actionable recommendations, and drafting a comprehensive White Paper (Macro Policy) framework.
The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to modernize Uganda's educational and sports infrastructure, ensuring it meets the challenges and requirements of the 21st century.
The Ugandan education system has seven years of primary education, followed by four years of lower secondary education culminating in the Uganda Certificate of Education, and two years of upper secondary education leading to the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education.
Vocational and tertiary education levels offer further specialization and higher learning opportunities.
Kenya on the other hand recently undertook major reforms, including the implementation of a competency-based curriculum, professional development for teachers, and an emphasis on technology and data-driven decision-making.
These reforms have positioned Kenya as a leader in educational innovation in the East African region, offering valuable lessons for Uganda as it seeks to redefine its educational framework.