Uganda's Education System

Uganda’s education system is said to have been a product of colonial government in their bid to create people to serve the colonial government as clerks and possibly as officers in government. Indeed many of the graduates in the university would get a job in government, a house and a car. This has continued but only as a dream as thousands of young graduates expect a job in government or big established companies. On some occasions, I have met my former students who when asked what they do, they say nothing. But they are quick to add “I am temporary working as an accountant in some private firm” when you say that is work, they say to you, it is not. They expect a job from government.

In this global setting, our education system should give us capacity to exploit the resources that we have and use them and give us a livelihood. Vocational skills are crucial for a small country like Uganda with no resources to fund big technological ideas. Vocational skills would give thousands of people jobs and would power the economy. Unfortunately the education system is such that to join these vocational institutions, you must be a failure in the mainstream education system. It is those who fail P7, S4 and S6 who go to the vocational institutions. These must change.

The lack of emphasis in learning and emphasis on simply passing is also another challenge.  In universities you still see students who you expect to be given notes. This is something, Paul emphasizes. If we do not learn through inquiry, there is no way we shall break away from the cycle of poverty.