Cabinet yesterday cleared the Ministry of Education to continue with the implementation of the revised lower secondary curriculum despite Parliament resolution to halt it and allow government prepare for its rollout.

Sources close to Cabinet but preferred anonymity told Daily Monitor yesterday that the Minister of Education, Ms Janet Museveni, was given the greenlight after briefing her.

Cabinet on what her ministry’s technical team had done in the last 12 years to put the curriculum together.

“Cabinet has cleared the curriculum,” the source said, adding, “the ministry is now ready to implement it.”

When contacted for a comment on whether Cabinet had okayed the curriculum contrary to Parliament resolution last week, Mr Alex Kakooza, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, could neither confirm nor rule out the decision.

“I wouldn’t be surprised given that the curriculum was supposed to be rolled out this term. It is possible that Cabinet discussed it,” Mr Kakooza said, but added:
“We cannot disobey Parliament. As my minister stated, we have gone to Cabinet today [yesterday] for guidance on how to implement the recommendations. I am waiting for that guidance.”

Following an assessment of the lower secondary curriculum in 2007, it was established that it was overloaded with subjects which were expensive to implement, focused on academic achievements and its assessment only encouraged cram work.

The ministry then embarked on the curriculum review a year later to consider the new changes in science and technology and promote creativity among learners.

Releasing the 2019 Primary Leaving Examinations, Ms Museveni announced that the curriculum was ready to be rolled out and that teachers were being trained in preparation for the Senior One students when they report for their First Term on February 17.

But there were reports of underfunding and that the ministry received money late to enable them train teachers.

The reporting date of February 3 for continuing students in some schools that were hosting teachers for training was extended by a week.

Members of Parliament are concerned that a good curriculum could be ruined if its implementation is not well facilitated.

On Tuesday February 4, they voted to halt its implementation until all teachers were trained and schools furnished with new textbooks to facilitate the teaching and learning.

At yesterday’s meeting, the minister informed Cabinet that they were ready to begin and they would correct whatever goes wrong along the way.

She said a number of consultations had been made including MPs on Parliament committee on education.