By.Katongole Arnold
The academic year in Uganda according to the Ministry of Education and Sports comes to an end after three terms of studies, first, second and third term respectively. Two terms of the three have been completed and today Monday 18 September2023,according to the Ministry of Education and Sports calendar kick starts third term of the academic year 2023, which is the last term of this academic year.
Last week, parents and students flooded shopping and trade centers to get hold of scholastic and personal requirements a head of a term that requires a lot of sobriety from the students ahead of their promotional exams internally and national. Parents in mammoth numbers have been seen in the long bank cues, trying to access tellers to pay students’ fees despite the presence of new technological advancement that aid paying fees like easy pay, mobile money and flexipay using student generated codes from schools, some parents prefer banks ad they are skeptical to the new advancement of paying fees.
- MINISTERS APPRECIATES UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE TO UGANDA .MINISTERS APPRECIATES UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE TO UGANDA The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund ( UNICEF)’s representative in Uganda Dr. Mohamed El Munir A. Safieldin appreciated his time serving in Uganda’s Education and health sector on 15 September , 2024 . He noted that his official work ends on 30 September with Uganda being his final duty station after a 31 years journey in United Nations (UN ), in a post on his X handle . “Uganda, being my final duty station ,holds a special place in my heart . Together with Government and development partners , we tackled COVID- 19 , improved health care expanded education and advanced WASH facilities . Beyond that, we fought diseases , addressed violence against children , and empowered youth through Skilling programs . Out efforts in social protection and disability inclusion laid a strong foundation for a brighter future .I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together . Thank you for your unwavering partnership and commitment.” noted Dr. Munir Safeildin Accompanied by the State Minister For Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo and newly appointed Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the first Lady Mrs. Janet Museveni bid DR. Munir fare well , appreciated his tremendous contribution while creating impact under UNICEF while in Uganda during the four years . She wished him the best in his future aspirations . “ UNICEF has provided essential , Technical , logistical and financial assistance to advance Uganda’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals . The partnership has led to meaningful initiatives benefiting children , adolescents , refugees and marginalized communities.” Mrs. Museveni noted . She commended UNICEF for their assistance during COVID- 19 Pandemic , capacity building , 21 century skills for youth , water and sanitation programs . The State Minister Foreign Affairs Hon Jeje Odongo also bid his fare well to Dr. Munir and he called upon for support from his successor. UNICEF had just set up high performance tents at UMOJA Primary School and Masaka Primary Schools on 13 September ,2024 after being affected by floods that destroyed over 10 schools in Ntotoko District. This was done immediately before third term opened for children not to miss out on this promotional term . v
- NEW MINISTRY OF EDUCATION PERMANENT SECRETARY APPOINTED .By Shiba Nakakande The state Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Janet Museveni announced Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda’s appointment as the new Permanent Secretary ( PS) of the Ministry of Education and Sports on 23 September , 2024 . The President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reshuffled the permeant secretaries and during this period Ketty Lamaro the former PS was laid off last month . In her message while welcoming Dr. Turyagyenda, Mrs. Museveni expressed her gratitude towards the work done by the ministry amidst the recent circumstances of Red eyes, Monkey pox and she believes in their ability to provide a conducive learning environment for students . “ I congratulate Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda on her appointment as a new Permanent Secretary for Ministry Of Education . The progress in AFCON preparations is praise worthy . I am optimistic about the swift Conclusion of the sports Bill amendment process and the necessary sub-sector forms . ” noted Mrs. . Museveni . Mrs. Museveni also extended her appreciation to wards Dr. Jane Egou Okou the under Secretary who was serving in the acting position for her contribution and trusts her collaborative efforts with Dr. Turyagyenda . Who is Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda . Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda is a senior in educationalist ,holds a Doctorate in Education Management from Nkumba University , a Diploma in Education at Makerere University and a Masters of Science Degree from Leicester University in U.K . She has ben part of a number of Education bodies and published education research papers , presented to various international conferences . She is the Director of Education Standards in the Ministry of Education and sports, served as the commissioner of standard secondary Education . She is also a member , Education Review Policy .
- PUJAB FORMS GO DIGITAL by Shiba Nakakande Head teachers with A level Center numbers have been alerted about the transition of Public Universities Joint Association Board (PUJAB) forms to online applications for admission to Universities and other tertiary Institutions. PUJAB forms are filled in by A level students registered to sit for their Uganda Advanced Certificate Of Education (UACE) examinations as well anticipating to study under government sponsorships . Applicants for academic year 2025/2026 are required to apply using the Academic Management Information System ( AMIS ) portal https://pujab.mak.ac.ug A virtual meeting via zoom is to be held with school administrators by PUJAB members from 1-4 October , 2024 and regional physical meetings with administrators from 14th October – 4 November . PUJAB online application for 2025/2026 admission will be open from 4th November to 31 December 2024 . According to a document released by the Academic Register Makerere University Prof . Buyinza Mukadasi , zoom links and other information will be sent to school administrators in reference to the contacts submitted by schools. Online applications are to improve the rate at which applicants’ data is collected , submitted and processed. The form is paid for at any bank using a system generated pay reference number (PRN) , a non refundable UGX 52,000 (Fifty two thousand Uganda shillings ) .
- IMMORALITY : FIRST LADY CAUTIONS YOUNG GIRLSThe first lady , state Minister of Education and sports Janet Kataaha Museveni warned young girls about men who persuade them into sexual intercourse promising them phones , laptops and other materials. While at the 6thyouth regional Summit at St. Henry’s College Kitovu(SHACK) in Masaka city on 19 September , 2024 , under the theme , My life is my responsibility ,She told students that getting those phones is not more important than their lives. Over 3,000 students were advised to use internet cautiously especially the girls in their adolescent era with the content they produce on social media platforms and consume. “Please protect your mind from influences and these dances that you make watch out , the dances you make your body look like you’re trying to attract somebody . I was also young like you , I liked dancing but in those times we used to dance with just your arms and legs. ” Mrs. Museveni emphasized . This is after the ministry of Education and Sports asked parents to regulate their children who have access to phones because there is plenty of dangerous content online such as pornography. Students were alerted to consider the kind of friends they choose because they are a reflection of who they are . The deputy Head teacher(SHACK) addressed her concern of bars near rhe the school that pull students into alcoholism and escape from school , lack of study materials for the lower secondary Curriculum which is limiting learners’ creativity and early marriages . Older men and Women not only distract learners’ from their academics diverting their minds which has them perform poorly but also infect them with HIV and this has led to the raising numbers of the virus among young people . More of these summits are to be held in different regions of the country to save young people for the future . Religious leaders , parents ad Community leaders are called upon to guide the youth discipline wise to shape them for a country of responsible citizens.
- OVER 1000 QUALIFY FOR THE GOVERNMENT STUDENT LOANS By Shibah Nakakande The Higher Education Students’ Financing Board (HESFB) released a list of students who acquired loan schemes from government to pursue science and technology courses for the Academic Year 2024/2025. This initiative started in 2014 and it has supported over 10,000 students in different Universities across the country. 1,838 students are to be funded with UGX . 7.25 billion representing 27.6% of all applicants , there has been an increase in the success of female students to acquiring these loans. Minister of State for Higher Education Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo made the announcement and applauded the students for reaching this level in their education journey . For many to access higher education , he remarked this as an important step . “ These fields are vital” , said Dr. J.C Muyingo as he advised the loans beneficiaries to take this opportunity seriously with their studies because they have to pay back as soon as they start working because they shall be used to cater for other beneficiaries. Science and Technology contribute to the economic development and needs of a Country noted Dr. J C Muyingo affirming the government’s commitment to increase securing additional funding to secure even more loans fir students. According to the HESFB loans report , there was an increase in applicants from 1,921 to 6,661 applications that were received by the board this year . Of these applications , 3,781 successfully were accepted representing 27.6% . The Executive Director Michael Wanyama said that this year a three-tier selection process was used for students to get loan placements based on socio- economic vulnerability, regional balance and district quotas . Districts like Amudat , Buvuma and Kotido which historically had low participation rates , saw students received loans. With the use of online applications for students , this is a milestone for the Board because students country wide have a chance to apply for student loan schemes with only devices that have access to Internet. The permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports Katty Lamaro affirmed the tremendous role played by the government loan schemes provides to students , it bridges the gap by other successful government Education projects such as Universal Primary Education ( UPE )and Universal Secondary Education ( USE ).
Schools started receiving students especially those in boarding sections yesterday, Sunday 17 September, 2023. The reporting process is expected to take a fortnight for all students and schools to harmonize the academic schedule throughout the entire country.
Like all third terms, this term is a determinant and yardstick for academic appraisal for the entire academic year at all levels from primary and secondary schools and it comes with expectations that vary regarding the level your at but all aiming to achieve academic appraisal for school goers, pupils in primary and students in secondary.
EXPECTATIONS
For all continuing students, including semi candidates schools will set exams for these students including beginning of term, mid term and end of year. End of year examinations is the most important among all these , where students are credited upon performance to the next class. Third term is a trap that tests for comprehension of students to the content covered during the entire academic year , because the exams cover all content taught in a certain class to get promoted to the next class.
For all candidates, this is the term to get to their names to the records of the national examinations board, Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), at the level where they a at.
For P.7 candidates, they are expected to be going through different revision classes to remind them of the present content and forgotten content covered in lower classes , where teachers seek to pass on new answering techniques to their students before sitting for their Primary Leaving Examinations that start on 7 to 9 November 2023.
For S.4 Candidates O’ Level , they are expected to go thorough different facilitations and resource drills in different subjects to bring them up to speed in theory and practical lessons, techniques and approaches. The candidates at this level will sit for their examinations ,Uganda Certificate of Education which will commence from Friday 13 October 2023 which will be briefing and examinations shall start on 16 October 2023 and end on 9 November 22023.
Lastly,S.6 Candidates, these sit for the highest examinations at secondary level. Commonly called A level candidates, they are classified into Arts and science students and all have different subject combinations. Teachers to these students are likely to complete the syllabus and get involved into drills of facilitations from different examiners to prep for final Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education examinations which will kick off with candidates briefing on Friday 10 November 2023 to 1 December 2023.
Important Dates for stakeholders to note in third term,
Students visitation days, these are dates where parents go to schools to visit their children and pass on encouraging words and also check on what their children have been doing at school.
Candidates prayer days, this is a special day for all candidates as they get blessed and handed to the hands of God as they get to face their final exams.
Breakoffs, This is also important for parents to know when the students shall break off , this helps in easy planning and also keep a vigilante of those days on their schedules