The Ugandan School System
"Every child has a right to learn and to have access to quality services to fulfill their potential. Education provides livelihood opportunities and empowers boys and girls to participate in decision-making processes to build a better future for themselves and their communities." (Unicef Uganda)
The Ugandan education system is primarily based on the British system, which stems from the country's past as a protectorate of the British Empire, which ended in 1962. The school system in Uganda consists of the compulsory seven-year elementary school, which ends with the PLE (Primary Leaving Examination). This is followed by the six-year, two-stage secondary school. The Ordinary Level initially lasts four years and ends with the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE). The Advanced Level lasts two years and ends with the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). This enables Ugandan pupils to start university studies after 13 years of school. Everyone who attends school (primary and secondary school) is required to wear a uniform.
Depending on the degree programme, the course can be completed with a Bachelor's degree lasting at least three years. Depending on preference, it is also possible to do an apprenticeship after lower or upper secondary school. Education in Uganda is taught in English at all levels of the educational structure because English is the first official language. Recently, however, great efforts have been made to promote local languages such as Luganda or Runyankore in schools, especially in the early years of elementary school. In addition, Swahili was introduced as a compulsory foreign language in schools by the Ugandan cabinet in 2022.
Back in 1997, the government introduced the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program, which was expanded to include Universal Secondary Education (USE) in 2007. This made Uganda the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to provide universal access to secondary education. The program was successful to the extent that today more Ugandan young people attend secondary school than ever before.
In Uganda, in addition to state educational institutions, there are also private schools and private universities for which (often high) fees have to be paid. They are usually preferred because they are not overcrowded. On the other hand, there are state schools that are subsidized or free but are overloaded with a high number of children. As one of the countries on the continent with a very young population of 15.7 years on average (Statista, 2023), this means that there are many school-age children. It is not uncommon to find a class of over 80 children, but it should not be forgotten that the children are very well behaved, have great respect for the teachers and as attending school is seen as a privilege in some ways, the children behave accordingly. However, the teachers need more support.
The Ugandan school system is divided into 3 trimesters per year (trimester system). Normally, the first trimester starts at the beginning of February and ends at the beginning of May, the second trimester starts at the end of May until the end of August and the third trimester starts in mid-September until mid-December. The dates are not fixed, they change every year. It is therefore advisable to check the school calendar on the website of the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports or contact the respective school.
Note: The semester breaks may vary depending on the status of the school, i.e. whether it is a private or state school.
