The Ministry of Education and Sports has officially launched Uganda's new Lower Secondary Curriculum (LSC) in a ceremony held at State House Entebbe, presided over by President Yoweri Museveni. The new curriculum, which replaces the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) syllabus that has been in use for over four decades, will take effect in all government-aided and registered private secondary schools beginning the 2026 academic year.

The reform has been years in the making. The Uganda National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) began developing the new competency-based framework in 2019, with extensive piloting in over 300 schools across all regions of the country before the national rollout was approved.

"We are equipping our young people not just with knowledge, but the skills, values and competencies they need to thrive in the 21st century."

— Hon. Janet Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports

What Has Changed

The new Lower Secondary Curriculum introduces significant structural and pedagogical changes. Key shifts include:

• A move from knowledge-memorisation to competency-based learning focused on practical skills.
• Integration of entrepreneurship and digital literacy as core components across all subjects.
• Continuous assessment now counts for 30% of the final grade, reducing dependence on end-of-year exams.
• A revised grading system aligned to East African Community education standards.

How Schools Are Preparing

A SchoolGuide Uganda survey of 45 school heads across Kampala, Wakiso, Lira and Mbarara found that while enthusiasm for the new curriculum is high, readiness varies significantly between well-resourced private schools and government institutions.

Headteachers at government schools raised concerns about the adequacy of teacher training, with many reporting that only a fraction of their staff had attended the Ministry's orientation workshops ahead of the launch.

"We support the new curriculum wholeheartedly. But we need proper training, adequate textbooks, and time. Launching without those things is a risk."

What Parents Need to Know

For parents of students currently in Senior One through Senior Four, the new curriculum introduces assessments and learning approaches that are meaningfully different from what most parents experienced in school. The Ministry has released a parent guide, available on the NCDC website, summarising the key changes.

Parents should note that the first national examinations under the new curriculum are expected in 2028, giving current S1 students time to be fully assessed under the reformed framework. Students already in S3 and S4 will complete their studies under a transitional arrangement.

Reactions from the Education Community

The Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU) welcomed the reform but renewed calls for a salary review to accompany the increased responsibilities placed on teachers under continuous assessment. The Uganda Private Schools and Institutions Association (UPSIA) expressed confidence that their member schools were well-positioned for the transition.

SchoolGuide Uganda will continue to track the implementation of the new curriculum — including teacher training progress, textbook distribution, and school readiness — in the months ahead.

Reported by the SchoolGuide Uganda News Desk. To submit a news story, contact news@schoolguide.co.ug