The School of Education at Kyambogo University hosted a transformative review meeting under the theme: “Creating a Global Classroom for Skills-Based Learning: Developing Self-Awareness, Interpersonal, and Thinking Skills (SIT)” , aiming to revolutionize teacher training and pedagogy in Uganda.
The core objective of the meeting was to introduce a practical resource guide for educators helping them reimagine their classrooms not just as places of content delivery, but as hubs for life skills development. The focus is on integrating Social Emotional Learning (SEL), interpersonal, and critical thinking skills before, during, and after every lesson.
“This is about moving from the traditional ‘chalk and talk’ methods to modeling practical life skills,” said Prof. Bismark Agbemble, a visiting scholar and senior lecturer at Kyambogo University. “Modern education has shifted from content to context. It’s no longer just what students learn, but how they learn.”
Prof. Bismark emphasized that the SIT approach is grounded in competency-based learning, aiming to build ownership, self-awareness, communication, and personal development in both learners and educators. He also hinted at a major stakeholders’ dialogue set for June, bringing together students, teachers, and facilitators to further explore this vision.
Despite long-standing challenges like limited infrastructure, low remuneration, lack of technology, and overcrowded classrooms, the underlying message was clear: use what you have. This empowering philosophy is the heart of the new SIT skills guidebook.
Several student teachers also shared their insights and experiences:
Apio Linda , a primary teacher and a student at kyambogo University reflected on the book-writing process, emphasizing that “learning is a journey,” and practical teaching can be achieved by compromising with what’s available. She underscored the importance of communication, listening, and self-awareness as key life skills.
Kwikiriza Prize , a student at kyambogo University and a primary teacher spoke on the need to adapt to modern technologies and challenged teachers to embrace a mindset shift seeing limitations not as barriers, but as opportunities for creative teaching.
When asked about the integration of artificial intelligence, Prof. Bismark acknowledged its importance, stating, “AI can help teachers obtain data that can be transformed into useful information. It’s a powerful tool for modern education.”
The meeting also highlighted the power of professional development and teacher trainers modeling the life skills they wish to instill. Teachers, the participants agreed, must go beyond delivering theory to becoming living examples of the values and competencies they teach.
Some of the other participants in the session included Akullo Faith Syndrella, Akello Edina, Akwaro Bonny Fred, Bukili James, and Kireri Ronald, all student teachers who are part of the SIT movement.
As Prof. Bismark concluded, “The future of education is not in complaining about what we lack, but in creating solutions with what we already have.”
