Hon. Lilian Ruteraho, Woman Member of Parliament for Isingiro District, yesterday commended the Ministry of Education and Sports for introducing the new lower secondary school curriculum, saying it was equipping learners with practical skills that could be applied in their daily lives and future careers.
Ruteraho made the remarks while appearing on TV West’s Eshonga Y’eizooba programme, where she participated in a discussion about the new curriculum. The discussion also brought together Mr. Onesmus Oyesigye of UVTAB, former Buhweju MP Hon. Francis Mwijukye, and Hon. Nathan Itungo.
Reflecting on her own education experience, Ruteraho said learners in the past were sometimes taught topics that did not directly relate to the practical challenges they encountered in their daily lives. She cited areas such as the Ngoni movements and the development of the Mali Kingdoms, the maji maji Rebellions saying the education system had now shifted towards equipping learners with practical and applicable skills.
She explained that the new curriculum will be beneficial to both parents and learners because it enables students to acquire skills that could later be used to earn a living. Ruteraho gave agriculture as an example, noting that a learner who studied agriculture could easily apply the acquired knowledge in farming or other related ventures as part of their future career.
Ruteraho also advised young people not to rely entirely on traditional “collar jobs” after completing their studies. She encouraged them to use the practical skills gained through the new curriculum to create employment opportunities for themselves and others, rather than concentrating only on seeking jobs.
She further noted that teachers were also appreciating the new curriculum, particularly those who had undergone training programmes aimed at preparing them for the new teaching approaches. She said the training was helping teachers acquire additional skills needed to effectively guide learners under the competency-based system.
Although she acknowledged that challenges, including concerns about teachers’ payment structures, still existed, Ruteraho expressed optimism that these issues would improve. She emphasized that the new curriculum was an important opportunity to prepare young people with practical knowledge and skills that could help them become self-reliant, productive and future job creators.
