BY – Reda Helal:
Uganda’s National Council for Curriculum Development (NCDC) has requested Shs17 billion to support a comprehensive review of the upper secondary school curriculum, as well as the printing and distribution of learning materials for primary one to three.
The request was presented before the Parliamentary Committee on Education, where NCDC Director Dr. Bernadette Nambi stated that the funding is not included in the 2026/2027 national budget despite its critical importance.
Teacher Training and Staffing Gaps
Nambi explained that the funds will also be used to:
• Train teachers on the revised curriculum
• Increase staffing levels from 57% to 65%
Currently, only 135 out of 236 approved positions have been filled, resulting in staff burnout, particularly amid ongoing curriculum reforms.
Additional Funding Challenges
She further noted that the Shs41 billion allocated to NCDC in the upcoming financial year does not cover key operational needs such as:
• Office accommodation
• Transport
Call for Greater Public Awareness
Committee Chairperson Hon. James Kubeketerya urged NCDC to strengthen public sensitization efforts, highlighting widespread confusion among teachers and parents regarding the new curriculum.
Demand for Accountability
Member of Parliament Hon. Nathan Itungo called on NCDC to provide detailed justification for the additional funding, particularly regarding identified issues in the current curriculum, including errors, redundancies, and misalignment between education levels.
He also warned that staffing shortages could undermine efforts to improve education quality.
Support for Kiswahili Program
Meanwhile, Hon. Jennifer Alanyo commended NCDC for introducing Kiswahili in schools and training 956 teachers in the Eastern region, urging expansion of the program nationwide.