Latest news with #NationalDevelopmentPlanIV
Zawya
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Improved school infrastructure key for new curriculum
Government is urged to invest in Information Communication Technology (ICT) and science laboratories to improve student output and performance under the new lower secondary school curriculum. While responding to a statement by the Minister for Education and Sports on the new grading system for the new curriculum, the Shadow Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Joseph Ssewungu said that lack of ICT infrastructure constrained the ability of schools to timely submit credit assessment scores to UNEB. Ssewungu presented his statement to the House chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Wednesday, 26 February 2025. Ssewungu alluded to a statement from the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Director which indicated the challenges of shortages of school laboratories. 'The new curriculum, being skills-based, requires that science labaratories and workshops are well-equipped to give the learners enough chance to create new knowledge through self-learning. Unfortunately, many rural and private schools lack these and are also short of science teachers,' Ssewungu said. He added that the new curriculum's emphasis on practical application raised questions about the relevance of theoretical subjects like history, C.R.E and geography to real-life problem-solving. Ssewungu urged UNEB to improve on supervision of the assessment of the 20 per cent awarded to learners, noting that project work is not supervised, which raises questions about the credibility of the results. Ssewungu urged government to prioritise teacher training and recruitment especially in languages like Kiswahili. Hon. Robert Migadde (NRM, Buvuma Islands County) said schools in villages did not compete favourably in the first assessment under the new curriculum in 2024, citing lack of access to key facilities to support project work. 'Seed schools lack computer labaratories and many of them to do not have access to stable electricity, yet these are examinable courses,' said Migadde. Speaker Anita Among, emphasised the need to improve necessary infrastructure in schools to enable project-work assignments under the new lower secondary school curriculum. 'Most of these problems are in government-aided schools. The issue of infrastructure is very crucial. It may not be under ICT or laboratories alone, but the ministry must also consider libraries,' Among said. The Speaker tasked the Minister for Finance to provide funding for extension of electricity across the country. 'What would it cost us if we handled the Rural Electricity Authority (REA) projects that were not completed, in a similar manner like we handled roads, by giving each district Shs1 billion to finalise the electricity projects? This should be in the corrigenda for the coming budget,' Among said. The State Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi promised to provide feedback when he presents a report on the implementation of the National Development Plan IV within the proposed budget. Hon. Emmanuel Ongiertho (FDC, Jonathan County) made a proposal that topics on project work done by students should be based on day-to-day skills training, adding that the new curriculum should have been initiated from primary level, to enable students acclimatise easily. Katikamu County South MP, Hon. Hassan Kirumira urged the Ministry of Education to sensitise parents on the new lower secondary school curriculum. 'Our parents are more inclined to knowing marks and how their children have performed after school which drives them away from the whole point of the new curriculum that is based on learner assessment,' said Kirumira. Nwoya East County MP, Hon. Geofrey Okello observed that many teachers are not conversant with the curriculum's competence based model of teaching. 'There were regional trainings for trainers of teachers however, they were never facilitated to extend the knowledge. Many teachers are not knowledgeable about what is being examined,' Okello said. Luuka District Woman Representative, Hon. Esther Mbayo urged the Ministry of Finance to expedite the process of releasing money to facilitate the training of teachers under the new curriculum. 'A new term has started and we have many teachers who are not well versed with the new curriculum. Making the funds for training available will enable the trainers of teachers to help those supposed to implement the curriculum, to do their work well,' Mbayo said. Hon. Stella Atyang noted that students have lost confidence in their teachers, and she stressed the need for adequate training in giving lessons under the new curriculum. 'Learners have expressed that teachers do not know what they are translating to them. Students are asked to buy textbooks but teachers are teaching and explaining different things from those expected in the curriculum,' Atyang said. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi tasked the Ministry of Education and Sports to give continuous updates to Parliament on the progress of the new lower secondary school curriculum, and implementation of the proposed new A-Level curriculum. The State Minister for Primary Education, Hon. Joyce Moriku appreciated proposals made by MPs adding that the reviewed curriculum produce a competitive generation Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Zawya
31-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Government to prioritise debt management and economic growth
Government will prioritise debt management, domestic revenue mobilisation, and economic transformation in the next financial year. This revelation was made by the State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Hon. Henry Musasizi, while justifying the motion on the National Budget Framework Paper for Financial Years 2025/26- 2029/20. Musasizi revealed that the preliminary resource envelope stands at Shs57.44 trillion and that this financial year marks the first implementation phase of the National Development Plan IV which aims to increase household incomes, fully monetise the economy and enhance employment for sustainable socio-economic transformation. He underscored that focus would be placed on agro-industrialisation, tourism, minerals, science and technology, alongside critical enablers such as defence, security, electricity, strategic roads, and the Parish Development Model. He reassured the House that no new taxes would be introduced but that efforts would be directed towards improving efficiency in tax administration. The Vice Chairperson of the Budget Committee, Hon. Remegio Achia who presented the report emphasised that the budget framework paper seeks to strengthen Uganda's economic resilience while ensuring social development. He noted that while economic growth is projected at 6.4 per cent, the burden of debt remains a concern. "We must strike a balance between financing critical infrastructure and maintaining a sustainable debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio," he said. Uganda's total public debt currently stands at Shs94.9 trillion as of June 2024, with debt servicing consuming nearly a third of domestic revenue. To address this, Achia said the government has set a domestic revenue target of Shs33.68 trillion up from Shs31.98 trillion in the current financial year. Accordingly, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) will intensify tax compliance measures, including expanding the tax base and enforcing digital tax systems such as the Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing Solution (EFRIS). Achia stressed the importance of ensuring that resources are utilised efficiently. "Our priority must be value for money. Every shilling spent must yield tangible results for the Ugandan people," he said warning that wasteful expenditure and corruption in public institutions must be addressed to maintain fiscal discipline. To prevent excessive borrowing, the government has reduced domestic borrowing from Shs8.97 trillion to Shs4.01 trillion. However, external financing is set to increase to Shs12.81 trillion to support key projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway and the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Programme. Achia acknowledged the inconsistencies between the Budget Framework Paper and the National Development Plan IV stating that sector priorities must be realigned to ensure effective resource utilisation. "There is a need to align sectoral priorities with our development plan to ensure that resources are utilised effectively for Uganda's long-term progress," he said. Achia observed that frequent supplementary budget requests, often arising from unplanned expenditures, create fiscal imbalances and hinder long-term planning. "We need to strengthen budget discipline to avoid excessive reliance on supplementary requests that disrupt the implementation of key development projects," he noted. Kira Municipality MP, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda who presented a minority report criticised the budget's priorities, arguing that non-essential expenditures have been prioritised while critical areas are underfunded. "Donations in this budget amount to Shs159 billion, fuel costs stand at Shs355 billion, special meals and drinks at Shs298 billion, and welfare and entertainment at Shs139 billion. This is where the government has placed its priorities," he said. He further condemned the government for allocating only Shs200 billion to clear domestic arrears, including unpaid pensions and gratuities. "Payment of domestic arrears should be a top priority in next year's budget," he argued. Other MPs raised concerns about the government's ability to raise the required revenue. Sheema South Representative, Hon. Elijah Mushemeza questioned the feasibility of realising Shs57 trillion in revenue when such figures have never been achieved in previous years. "We have never realised Shs57 trillion in the last five financial years. What assurance can you give us that this time around you will?" he asked. Hoima East Division MP, Hon. Patrick Isingoma questioned why the budget had not prioritised funding for the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) machine needed for cancer detection and treatment. "This machine is only available in Nairobi, where a single round costs US$1,500. Most people go to India for treatment because we lack this facility," he lamented. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi urged the government to take domestic arrears more seriously, noting that they now exceed Shs14.6 trillion. He also criticised the government's for failing to compensate victims of the Kiteezi landfill disaster. Commenting on alleged luxury spending, Musasizi clarified that money provided for the army, police, and Uganda prisons are not luxury spending. 'Shs1.1 trillion is medical clothing for medical workers; we have an item of clothing under Parliamentary Commission for protocol people, we have Shs900 million for Uganda Revenue Authority and this is attire for tax collectors, under Ministry of health, shs900 million for medics and nurse's uniforms,' he said. The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa urged the government to consider the minority report and cost tax proposals to guide the budget. He also suggested that the minister clearly indicate which budget proposals would be implemented. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
