Undermine not your talent – VC Victoria University

14 September 2024, 11:33 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As one of the strategies to combat unemployment and poverty in Uganda and Africa as a whole, universities and tertiary institutions have introduced various solutions to address this ‘disease’ that is affecting citizens, particularly young people.

In light of this, Victoria University has chosen, among other initiatives, to support and nurture talent through different channels. Yesterday in Kampala, the University Vice Chancellor, Dr Lawrence Muganga, encouraged students to utilise their talents alongside their education and, on behalf of the university, pledged to provide any necessary support.

This took place during the welcome party for new students and the farewell event for those who are set to graduate this year.

This event featured talented artists such as Chris Banina, who premiered his new song “Kanywe Okawulire”, as well as Karol Kasita, Mudra, and others who thoroughly entertained the students. In his brief statement following the launch of the song, Chris Banina expressed his gratitude to Victoria University for supporting artists like himself.

In addition, as an educationist, in his letter to the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, a few weeks ago, the Vice Chancellor shared his thoughts on how unemployment and poverty can be addressed. He stated briefly: “Eliminating National Exams for Primary 7 (PLE) and Senior 4 (UCE) would be a revolutionary step towards improving the quality of education in Uganda. National exams do not determine a person’s success in life; instead, they create a divide between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ schools based on exam results,” he said.

Dr Muganga further stated that these exams enable schools to charge high fees, promising good grades, but this primarily benefits a few financially. In many countries in the Global North, such exams have been phased out, with teachers now using continuous assessment, which is a more effective way to measure a student’s knowledge and skills.

He emphasised that by shifting from national exams to continuous assessment, Uganda would save significant resources that could be reinvested in improving teacher salaries, building science laboratories, developing AI-focused learning centres, and expanding classroom facilities.

In conclusion, he stated, “Your Excellency, you are already on the right path by advocating for free education at the primary and secondary levels. I fully agree with you; education should be accessible to every young person up to Year 13. Education is a public good, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all children can benefit from it.”

“Mr. President, the solutions you seek are within reach, and I believe that the steps you are considering are the right ones. Let us move forward, and I am confident that, in time, the benefits will be clear. Trust in these reforms, and I believe they will transform Uganda’s education system for the better. For God and My Country.” he concluded.