The government of Uganda recognizes education as a basic human right and continues to strive to provide free primary education to all children in the country. However, Issues with funding, teacher training, rural populations, and inadequate facilities continue to hinder the progress of educational development in Uganda. The majority of literate Ugandans go through two basic levels of education i.e. primary and secondary schools and very few make progress to university and other tertiary institutions. For the period 1986-2004, enrollment in primary schools rose from 2,203,824 to 7,377,292 and 123,479 to 697,507 in secondary schools. Out of these students, some Ugandans had a chance to attain pre-primary (pre-school) education from 59,829(795 schools) in 2001 to 64,484 pupils in 2003(893 schools).
In 1997, the Universal Primary Education was launched and its introduction was the result of democratizing and open elections as there was great popular support for free education for four children per family but the program was not performing based in its regulations due to the complex structure of the Ugandan families. Most Ugandan families have more than four children and households started sending every child which resulted into a rapid increase in student enrollment in primary schools (Ngaka 172). Due to the circumstances, President Museveni announced that the UPE was open to all children of all families.
However, due to lack of funds and human resources its quality is poor. In 2007, Uganda became the first country in the sub-Saharan African to introduce Universal Secondary Education with the Universal Secondary Education policy. Under Uganda’s education system structure, Primary education lasts seven years between 6-12 ages, (grades 1-7). Secondary education lasts six years and includes four years of lower secondary (ages 13-16), and two years of upper secondary (ages 16-18) and 3 to 5 years of post-secondary education.
The second oldest, and by far the largest institution is the University of Makarere founded in 1922 and is sited on a hill overlooking Kampala. It has a number of campuses, and 8 halls of residence of which 3 are for women. There are also many different private universities in Uganda.
The Education System of Uganda
The existing structure of the education system in Uganda has been in force since the early 1960s. It consists of seven years of primary education followed by the lower secondary cycle of four years and the upper secondary cycle of two years, after which there are three to five years of university studies.
On successful completion of the primary school cycle, one can either join lower secondary school or take a three-year craft course in a technical school. However, only about 40% of the primary school graduates are absorbed into the secondary cycle, which implies that there are fewer schools than available students, presenting an investment opportunity to private investors.
Focus on University Education
In the last few years, Uganda has seen a rise in the number of Universities in the country. This is underscored by the increasing number of students that qualify for University entrance. (More…)
Universal Primary Education
School education was introduced in Uganda by the White missionaries mainly for the children of chiefs and to provide for functionaries needed by the British colonial government. (More…)
Makerere University
Makerere University is Uganda’s premier institution of higher learning. With a student population of over 30,000, it ranks as one of the largest in East and Central Africa. (More…)