The National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC) has unveiled a brand new O’level curriculum expected to take effect in 2020. In the new curriculum, over 19 subjects have been dropped while 23 related subjects have been merged.
According to a specialist from NCDC named Mr James Droti, the method of assessing performance of lower secondary students has been revised, with Uganda Certificate of Education examination results now accounting for 80 per cent and continuous assessment from senior one to four will account for 20 percent of the O’level final.
Apparently only seven subjects will be compulsory and an O’level student will take a maximum of 10 examinable subjects out the 13 taught in senior one and two. Principles of Accounts and Commerce have been merged into Entrepreneurship while Technical Drawing, Wood Work and Metal Work have been merged into the newly-introduced subject, Technology and Design.
Home Economics was dropped as a stand-alone subject and is now subsumed under Food and Nutrition. Speaking of class duration, Schools will be expected to run classes from 8:30am to 2:30pm, giving students two additional hours each day for self-discovery and engagement with teachers before school closure at 4:30pm.
Following President Museveni’s approval after a meeting held last Thursday, Mr Droti adds that they intend to test the new curriculum next year and roll it countrywide in 2020.
Approved subjects for O’Level
English language
Mathematics
Geography
History
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Religious Education
Entrepreneurship
Foreign Languages
Local Languages
Kiswahili
Information Communication and Technology
Nutrition and Food Technology
Technology and Design
Performing Arts (Music, Dance and Drama)
Fine Art
Physical Education
Agriculture
Literature in English
Some dropped subjects
Type writing
Additional Mathematics
Power and Energy
Electricity and Electronics
Accounts
Commerce
Technical Drawing
Woodwork
Metal work
Political Education
Health Science
Home Economics
Textile and clothing
Office practice
Shorthand
Building and construction
Fasihi ya Kiswahili
Textile and Clothing
Tailoring
