A-Level Teachers, Students Stunned by Last-Minute Curriculum Changes

Uganda’s National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) has finalized a plan to introduce an abridged A-Level curriculum, aiming to align it with the competence-based lower secondary curriculum introduced in recent years.

Dr. Grace Baguma, Director of NCDC, confirmed that the adjustments would not introduce entirely new content but would refine the existing syllabus to ensure continuity in learning approaches.

“The lower secondary curriculum is learner-centred and competence-based, while A-Level has remained knowledge-driven and teacher-centred. This misalignment has created challenges in learning and assessment,” Dr. Baguma said.

She explained that the revised curriculum would transform subject objectives into competencies, remove outdated content, and integrate topics that were previously omitted from O-Level studies. The syllabus will remain unchanged in terms of subjects and their names, ensuring continuity for students.

By February 24, when Senior Five students return to school, the modified curriculum and syllabi for 29 subjects will be available online through the NCDC website and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) portal. Printed versions will follow, and online sessions will be conducted to guide teachers through the transition.

“There are no drastic changes—teachers will use the same instructional materials, but the teaching approach will be more in line with the lower secondary system,” Dr. Baguma added.

Gilbert Gift Siima, Manager of the Secondary Education Department at NCDC, stated that teacher training sessions would begin soon, starting with headteachers and selected teachers from each school. Support programs will be available throughout the term.

However, some school administrators have raised concerns about the timing of the changes. One headteacher, speaking anonymously, warned that schools might struggle to adapt, citing similar challenges faced when the lower secondary curriculum was introduced.

“The changes may seem small, but they are being implemented at very short notice, just weeks before the term begins,” the headteacher said.

Despite these concerns, the NCDC insists that the adjustments will create a smoother transition for students moving from O-Level to A-Level, ensuring a more cohesive learning experience across Uganda’s education system.