Education
Uganda Rolls Out NCDC's New Lower Secondary Curriculum Nationwide
Education·21 Jun 2026·4 min read·The Insight
The National Curriculum Development Centre's competence-based curriculum is now in full implementation across all government and private secondary schools, shifting focus from rote memorization to practical skills.
The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) has confirmed that the New Lower Secondary Curriculum is now fully rolled out across all secondary schools in Uganda, marking a significant shift from the traditional knowledge-based system to a competence-based approach.
Under the new framework, students are assessed on practical skills, critical thinking, and continuous project work rather than relying solely on end-of-term exams. Subjects have also been restructured, with students now choosing from a broader range of subject combinations earlier in their secondary education.
Education officials say the curriculum aims to better prepare learners for the job market and higher education by emphasizing applied learning. Teachers across the country have undergone retraining sessions organized by NCDC and the Ministry of Education to align classroom delivery with the new standards.
Some education stakeholders have raised concerns about resource gaps in rural schools, particularly around materials needed for project-based assessments. NCDC says it is working with district education offices to address these gaps as implementation continues.