By Kabugho Elias
KAMPALA, Uganda : A youth-led education reform initiative under Apex Digital Skills has submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Education and Sports proposing structural changes to Uganda’s secondary education system, with a focus on early career specialization and stronger integration of practical skills training.
The memorandum, addressed to the Minister of Education and Sports through the Permanent Secretary and copied to the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), argues that the current education structure delays workforce readiness and places heavy emphasis on theoretical learning at the expense of practical skills.
Proposal Pushes for Early Specialization in Schools
The submission recommends introducing career specialization at Senior Three (S.3), reducing compulsory subjects at O-Level, and strengthening the integration of digital literacy, applied technology, and entrepreneurship into core learning.
It also proposes a fast-track pathway for high-performing students to transition earlier into skills training, employment, or entrepreneurship.
According to the initiative, the reforms are intended to align education outcomes with modern labour market demands and improve efficiency in the learning process.
Ministry Directs Physical Submission Process
The initiative says it received guidance from the Office of the Permanent Secretary at 11:20 a.m., advising that the memorandum must be submitted in hard copy for official registry entry and processing.
The group had initially submitted the document through email channels but reported delays in acknowledgment, prompting the move toward physical submission as the formal route.
Officials reportedly emphasized that hard copy submission ensures proper documentation, tracking, and routing within government systems.
Students Share Concerns on Length and Relevance of Education
The proposal comes alongside strong student perspectives on the structure of the education system.
Muhanguzi Matthew Paul, a Senior Three student, said the education journey is too long and includes subjects that are not always relevant to career paths.
“The education journey is too long, and we study unnecessary subjects for one’s career,” he said, adding that reforms could improve efficiency and career relevance.
Luzinda Enock, a student at Kabuye Memorial School, said many learners spend long years in school but still struggle to secure employment.
“We study for so long and end up with no jobs. Even those who didn’t attend school sometimes end up better than us. But I believe in a few years there will be space for working early,” he said.
Debate Grows Over Education Relevance and Job Readiness
The proposal comes amid ongoing public debate on whether Uganda’s education system sufficiently prepares learners for employment.
Concerns frequently raised include long academic pathways, overloaded subject requirements, and limited practical exposure to real-world skills.
The initiative argues that earlier specialization could help bridge the gap between education and employment by allowing learners to focus on career-relevant skills at an earlier stage.
Independent Civic Initiative Behind Proposal
Nyanzi Martin Luther, Head of Operations at Apex Digital Skills, said the memorandum is an independent civic contribution aimed at improving education policy discussions in Uganda.
He noted that the group is following official procedures to ensure the document is properly registered and considered within government systems.
Outlook
The memorandum is expected to enter formal review once physically received and registered by the ministry.
No official timeline for a response has been provided, as such submissions typically undergo technical and policy evaluation before feedback is issued.
For now, the proposal adds to a growing national conversation on education reform, particularly around curriculum structure, skills development, and improving alignment between schooling and employment outcomes.
