Our Uganda team was delighted to participate today in the ‘Marching for Quality Education 2024’ conference, an annual event co-organised by Business Friends Africa and STiR Education at Mengo Secondary School. The conference was dedicated to addressing pressing issues in Uganda’s education sector. This pivotal event featured speakers and researchers from the education and health sectors, all highlighting the need to improve education at all levels by igniting curiosity and critical thinking among learners.
The event began with a march for quality education involving students from selected secondary schools, alongside their teachers, headteachers, and representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Health and civil society organisations. This was followed by a panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities presented by the new Lower Secondary Curriculum, and a presentation from STiR on the role of teacher motivation in the delivery of quality education.
The event concluded with a call from the conference organisers for a collective effort from all education stakeholders to support initiatives that enhance teacher motivation and professional development. As the education sector continues to evolve, there is a hope that the insights and strategies shared at the conference will play a crucial role in shaping the future of education in Uganda.
Kenneth Lukwago, Deputy Headteacher at Makerere College School in Kampala, was one of those taking part in the march. He said: “I participated because I appreciate the cause for the march. I agree that we need to do something to improve the quality of education in Uganda. The education system needs to be functional for schools to equip students with the knowledge, values and skills they need to be useful members of society. I appreciate organisations that support the government in the implementation of the new skills-based curriculum. As an educator, seeing different stakeholders combine their efforts to improve teaching and learning and giving students a platform to showcase their projects, gives me hope for the future.”
Modern Karema, Country Director for STiR Education in Uganda, said: “The Marching for Quality Education conference reinforced the critical role of teacher motivation and professional development in delivering quality education. To realise this, STiR’s commitment to reigniting intrinsic motivation in teachers stands as a beacon of hope for Uganda’s education system. By fostering a supportive and empowering environment for educators, STiR aims to create a future where every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive, guided by teachers passionate about their profession.”
