International schools have commended the Government of Uganda for introducing the new Competency-Based Curriculum, saying it closely aligns with international education programmes such as Cambridge and gives learners greater opportunities to develop practical skills alongside academic knowledge.
The remarks were made by Mohammed Kakiika, Principal of Vienna College Namugongo, during the release of the Cambridge A2 and A-Level examination results at the school.
Kakiika said the new Ugandan curriculum is increasingly similar to international programmes because of its emphasis on competencies, practical learning and students’ ability to apply knowledge rather than relying solely on examination grades.
“The new Ugandan National Curriculum is very close to the Cambridge programme, competency-based,” Kakiika said, explaining that the school considers more than grades when recognising outstanding students.
He cited the Chris Kassami Memorial Awards as an example, noting that students are assessed not only on their examination performance but also on their project work and ability to apply knowledge, including in areas such as quantitative analysis.
“When we award students for the Chris Kassami Memorial, the area was not only the grades, but their project work in quantitative analysis is what we look at,” he said.
According to Kakiika, the approach adopted under Uganda’s new curriculum is therefore consistent with the direction taken by international education systems, which increasingly place emphasis on skills, innovation, creativity, critical thinking and practical application of knowledge.
He, however, noted that the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum requires significant investment in educational resources.
“With the exception of a few things, resources, because it requires lots of resources to implement it. So probably there is a need to mobilise resources so that the new competency-based curriculum can be adopted and implemented very well to serve this nation and humanity in general,” Kakiika said.
He urged stakeholders to support Government by mobilising the resources required to ensure that schools have the facilities, teaching materials and other necessities needed to effectively implement the curriculum.
Meanwhile, Vienna College Namugongo students demonstrated strong performance in the Cambridge A2 and A-Level examinations, with several subjects recording notable results.
The school reported strong performance in Chemistry, while 42 students who entered Business achieved a combined 12 A stars.
Mathematics, which had 145 candidates, recorded an 82.1 per cent pass rate, while Physics registered an 86.5 per cent pass rate. Biology and Economics also recorded notable participation, with 81 entries reported in the two subjects.
The school also registered candidates in Information Technology and Art and Design, among other disciplines.
Speaking during the results release, Jassie Kassami, Director at Vienna College Namugongo, urged students to maintain a strong focus on academic excellence, saying their individual performance contributes significantly to the overall standards and reputation of the institution.
Kassami said students who work hard and consistently strive for excellence not only improve their own academic prospects but also contribute to elevating the school’s performance.
The results release was preceded by the Chris Kassami Memorial Awards, during which students who demonstrated outstanding academic performance were recognised with accolades and cash prizes of Shs1 million each.
The awards were established by the school board in memory of the late Chris Kassami and are intended to encourage students to pursue academic excellence while preserving his legacy.
Kassami said the memorial awards are designed to motivate students to work harder and develop a culture of excellence at Vienna College Namugongo.
He added that the initiative also provides an opportunity for the school community to honour the life and contribution of the late Chris Kassami, who served Uganda in several senior positions.
Chris Kassami served as Chief Government Economist and Secretary to the Treasury and was also a former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. He also served in leadership roles, including as a former board chair.
The school noted that the strong performance of its students in international examinations demonstrates the potential of Ugandan learners when provided with quality education, appropriate learning opportunities and an environment that encourages both academic and practical excellence.
