On 18th June 2026, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), in collaboration with the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), convened a consultative meeting with Vice Chancellors of universities to discuss the proposed Upper Secondary Curriculum Framework.
In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of NCHE, Prof. Mary J. N. Okwakol (center, below), emphasized that stakeholder consultation is a legal requirement in the formulation of education policies and reforms. She noted that the curriculum review process was initiated to support the adoption of competence-based learning approaches across the education system, promote holistic learner development, realign subjects with contemporary societal and labour market needs, and foster greater integration of knowledge and skills across disciplines.
Prof. Okwakol further explained that the proposed reforms follow a directive by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports requiring all higher education institutions to align their academic programmes with competence-based education principles by the 2027/2028 academic year. In response, NCHE developed and disseminated minimum standards for the implementation of Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) to guide institutions in aligning their programmes with the Competence-Based Education (CBE) framework.
She called upon participants to provide technical input on the proposed Upper Secondary Curriculum Framework, seek clarification on the implications of competence-based assessment and grading for university admissions, and identify areas requiring alignment between upper secondary and higher education.
The Director of NCDC, Dr. Bernadette Nambi Karuhanga(below), noted that feedback from Vice Chancellors would enrich the framework and strengthen stakeholder ownership of the proposed reforms. She highlighted that the framework outlines standards, terminal competencies, and guiding principles for the design, development, implementation, and assessment of the curriculum.
The meeting was also addressed by the Director of Examinations at the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), Mr. Mike Nangosya Masikye(below).
