A youth-led education reform initiative under Apex Digital Skills has submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Education and Sports proposing changes to Uganda’s secondary education structure, with a focus on introducing earlier career specialisation and strengthening practical skills training.
The document, addressed to the Minister of Education and Sports through the Permanent Secretary and copied to the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), argues that the current education pathway delays workforce readiness and limits early development of job-relevant skills.
proposal seeks a shift in the secondary education structure
The memorandum recommends introducing career specialisation at Senior Three (S.3), reducing the number of compulsory subjects at O-Level, and expanding integration of digital literacy, applied technology, and entrepreneurship into the core curriculum.
It also proposes a fast-track pathway for high-performing students to enable earlier transition into advanced training, employment, or entrepreneurship.
According to the proposal, the reforms are intended to make education more responsive to labour market needs and reduce the gap between classroom learning and practical workplace skills.
Ministry directs formal submission procedures
The initiative says it received guidance from the Office of the Permanent Secretary at 11:20 am, instructing that the memorandum must be submitted in hard copy for official registry entry and processing.
The group had earlier sent the document through email channels, but says it experienced delays in acknowledgement, prompting the move toward physical submission as the formal route.
Officials reportedly emphasized that hard copy delivery ensures proper documentation, tracking, and departmental routing within government systems.
Education debate shifts to relevance and employability
The proposal comes amid ongoing public debate on whether Uganda’s education system sufficiently prepares learners for employment in a changing economy.
Concerns frequently raised include overemphasis on theoretical learning, limited practical exposure, and delayed career specialisation.
The initiative argues that aligning education more closely with labour market demands could improve youth employability and reduce skills mismatches.
operations office emphasises independent civic input
Nyanzi Martin Luther, Head of Operations at Apex Digital Skills, said the initiative is independently driven and focused on contributing policy ideas to national education discussions.
He noted that the group is following official procedures to ensure the memorandum is properly registered and considered through formal government channels.
outlook
The memorandum is expected to enter formal review once physically received and registered by the ministry.
No official timeline for feedback has been indicated, as such submissions typically undergo technical and policy assessment before response.
For now, the proposal adds to a growing national conversation on education reform, particularly around early specialization, skills development, and improving alignment between schooling and employment outcomes.
