A Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) official has urged all secondary school head teachers, directors of studies, boards of governors, proprietors, parents’ representatives and students’ representatives to sensitise parents on the new lower secondary curriculum.
The official made the call during a planning meeting aimed at sensitising parents on the new lower secondary curriculum.
Held at Progressive Secondary School Kitintale on March 01, the meeting was organised by Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, the Nakawa East MP.
Different partners, including KCCA, National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Victory University, National Private Education Institutes Association Uganda (NPEIAU) and civil society organizations such as Balimwezo Community Foundation attended the planning meeting.
Charles Maginot, the acting Director of Education and Social Services at KCCA, urged all secondary school head teachers and directors of studies to sensitise parents on the new curriculum.
“Sensitize all parents to the new curriculum,” Maginot ordered. “KCCA will ensure all schools in the city comply with this mass parent sensitization campaign. This will not stop.”
Even when educationists have hailed the adoption of the new lower secondary curriculum as a step in the right direction, a number of parents hardly have any idea on how it works.
“Such meetings should continue to be organised particularly to sensitise parents,” Maginot added.
MP Balimwezo, who convened the meeting, noted that the knowledge gap between the key players in the implementation of the new curriculum was a challenge and needed urgent redress. He said most of the parents do not understand the new curriculum.
“The new curriculum is good but the parents do not know it. If the parents don’t understand the assessment we are losing out. They (parents) play a critical role in the academic path of the children,” he said.
Balimwezo also noted that this problem is not only with the parents who play a pivotal role in supporting their children but also the teachers some of whom he said lacked the knowledge of the new curriculum. He called for a massive sensitization drive for both parents and teachers.
“Unfortunately, the teachers also need to get acquainted, understand properly before impacting the children. Both teachers and parents are key stakeholders in this matter therefore a massive sensitization drive is needed,” noted Balimwezo, adding that empowering the key stakeholders, especially teachers and parents, would have a ripple effect on the implementation of the new curriculum.
Augustine Kamya, the chairperson National Private Education Institutes Association Uganda (NPEIAU) for Kampala region, said the parents need to be more knowledgeable in order to better support their children.
“Parents are the number one educators. How can they participate?” he asked. “They should be knowledgeable to guide pupils very well. Sensitising them will help sort of the problems of the children”
Dr Lawrence Muganga, the Victoria University Vice Chancellor, said it was the responsibility of everybody to care about every child. Dr Muganga also advised parents not to pay for marks but skills.
“We have the duty to care about every child born in this country. Think about your role before you blame the government. Our only hope is the new competence based curriculum. Parents never pay for grades, pay for competences. The new curriculum demands for this,” he noted.
He also urged parents and schools to invest in technology. “Parents, buy gadgets for your children,” Dr Muganga urged.
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