Kimanya-Ngeyo Foundation expands teacher training programme to four Busoga districts

By Joseph Sooka

The Kimanya-Ngeyo Foundation for Science and Education has announced plans to expand its flagship Learning to Learn (LTL) teacher professional development programme to four additional districts in Busoga as part of efforts to improve the quality of education and support the implementation of Uganda’s competency-based curriculum.

The expansion will see the programme rolled out to Bugiri, Iganga, Mayuge and Kamuli districts after years of implementation in Jinja City, Jinja District and Buikwe.

The announcement was made during the Foundation’s inaugural Teachers Conference held at the Civil Service College in Jinja City, bringing together teachers, learners and education stakeholders to share experiences, lessons and challenges in implementing learner-centred teaching approaches.

Speaking at the conference, the Foundation’s Executive Director, Okiror John Robarts, said the expansion is intended to equip more teachers with modern teaching methods that encourage critical thinking, creativity and independent learning among learners.

“We have been training teachers since 2016, but we have never had an opportunity to bring them together to share their experiences, challenges and areas where they think we can improve. That is why we organised this inaugural teachers’ conference,” Okiror said.

He said the Foundation fully supports Uganda’s new secondary school curriculum, noting that it complements the Learning to Learn programme, which promotes learner-centred education.

“We welcome the new curriculum and we are committed to supporting teachers in implementing it because it aligns with our programme. Today, learning is no longer about the teacher doing all the research. We encourage teachers to assign learners research tasks so that they actively participate in discovering knowledge while teachers also continue learning,” he said.

According to Okiror, the competency-based curriculum encourages learners to undertake projects, solve problems and acquire practical skills rather than relying solely on memorisation.

He noted that teachers who have undergone the Foundation’s training have found it easier to implement the new curriculum because they had already adopted similar teaching approaches through the Learning to Learn programme.

Education officials praised the Foundation for strengthening classroom instruction and improving learner engagement.

Jinja District Inspector of Schools, Waako Patrick Mwite, said the programme has enhanced teachers’ ability to deliver practical lessons that enable learners to think critically and apply knowledge to real-life situations.

“This Foundation has supported our teachers through continuous training in practical learning approaches that help learners think critically. A child now leaves the classroom with practical skills,” he said.

Mwite added that the programme has also strengthened collaboration between schools, parents and local communities, citing an example from Kigalagala in Jinja District where community engagement helped return a child who had dropped out of school.

Njeru Municipality Inspector of Schools, Nsumba George William, said the training has improved classroom management and made learning more attractive to learners.

“When you look at the Kimanya-Ngeyo programme, it encourages teachers to assign research to learners while they also conduct their own research. This has strengthened critical thinking and increased learners’ interest in education,” he said.

School leaders also testified to the programme’s impact.

Mutesi Asiina Kirunda, Headteacher of Kigalagala Primary School in Jinja District, said teachers at the school have significantly improved their teaching methods since joining the programme.

“With the presence of Kimanya-Ngeyo, we have greatly benefited. We have improved our teaching skills and our learners are performing better academically,” she said.

Kirunda added that the Foundation has also helped schools strengthen relationships with parents and communities by introducing mechanisms for tracking absenteeism and encouraging parental involvement in children’s education.

“We have acquired skills to monitor absenteeism and engage parents, which has contributed to increased school enrolment,” she said.

The Foundation said expanding the Learning to Learn programme across Busoga is expected to equip more teachers with modern instructional skills, improve learner outcomes and support Uganda’s transition to competency-based education.