Advocate for a system that nurtures holistic development rather than just rote memorization, CoU urged as it commences nationwide distribution of mock exams to boost student competence

The Church of Uganda, through its Directorate of Education Services, officially flagged off the distribution of Mock examinations for Church-founded primary and secondary schools across Uganda. This significant initiative, launched on Monday, aims to significantly improve learners’ academic performance, foster competence, and ensure crucial familiarization with the revised national curriculum and its new examination format.

The flag-off ceremony, meticulously organized by the Provincial Examination Agency, took place on Monday afternoon at the Provincial Secretariat in Namirembe. The event was presided over by Canon John Tereraho, the Provincial Head of Laity and a highly respected educationist, underscoring the Church’s deep commitment to educational excellence. Key attendees included Mr. Balaam Muheebwa, Acting Provincial Secretary; Rev. Canon Dr. Paul Kakooza, Director of Education Services; and Mr. William Kiwanuka, Chairperson of the Provincial Examinations Agency, among other dignitaries.

The Provincial Examination Agency, a vital arm of the Church’s educational mission, was established on March 20, 2023, by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu. Its mandate is to complement Diocesan efforts by generating high-quality assessments designed to monitor student progress, provide constructive feedback, and inform classroom instruction effectively.

In his impassioned address, Canon John Tereraho voiced a profound concern over the escalating gap between teacher qualifications and student competence, attributing this in part to the “manipulative nature” of current national examinations.

“It is sad to find a school with qualified teachers but very incompetent students. We must try as much as we can to save our children from intellectual genocide. Education should be treated as a service, not a business,” Canon Tereraho asserted, emphasizing the moral imperative of education.

He sharply criticized the high-stakes examination environment, particularly during periods such as Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE), where both parents and students endure sleepless nights under immense pressure.

“Parents are now like students—doing homework and staying up all night. Education should sharpen children like arrows to tackle future challenges,” he added, advocating for a system that nurtures holistic development rather than just rote memorization. Canon Tereraho commended the Church of Uganda for its decision to extend mock examinations across all regions, a move he believes will enable the identification of region-specific academic challenges.

Rev. Canon Dr. Paul Kakooza highlighted the considerable achievements of the Church of Uganda Heads of Education Institutions Association (COUHEIA) and the Provincial Examination Agency. He specifically praised their unwavering commitment to inclusivity, noting their efforts to serve underprivileged schools in remote regions such as Karamoja, Kitgum, and Ruwenzori, where access to quality assessments is often severely limited.

Dr. Kakooza also shed light on the Church’s significant investment in academic research through its Endowment Fund, which actively supports scholarly work across its universities and institutions. “Last year, we received 16 research papers, all of which were reviewed and will be published by Bishop Stuart University. We are also preparing to launch an academic journal featuring articles from COUHEIA leaders,” he announced, showcasing the Church’s dedication to intellectual growth.

Beyond academics, Dr. Kakooza expressed deep concern over the safety of school-going children, citing a recent Nile Post report that revealed an alarming 239 children aged 5 to 18 were involved in road accidents during the first half of 2024. He urged the Ministry of Works and Transport to urgently install speed humps and clearly marked child-crossing signage near schools to enhance road safety effectively.

Additionally, he called for heightened vigilance to address the alarming rise in drug and substance abuse among learners, noting that the Directorate of Education Services has established a dedicated office to advocate for drug-free schools.

MWilliam Kiwanuka, the Chairperson of the Provincial Examination Agency, reiterated the paramount importance of the mock exams in familiarizing learners—especially those in secondary schools—with the competence-based curriculum. He clarified that A-Level students would continue to be assessed using the outgoing curriculum, as the new framework has not yet been rolled out for their level.

This nationwide mock examination initiative exemplifies the Church of Uganda’s proactive role in shaping the future of education, ensuring its students are well-prepared not just for examinations, but for life’s broader challenges.