The Education Policy Review Commission has concluded regional consultations and dialogue with key stakeholders across the country. The consultations allowed Ugandans to share their views and propose recommendations to improve Uganda’s education and sports sector.

The Commission led by the Chairperson, Hon. Col. (Rtd) Amanya Mushega visited and consulted people of Busoga, West Nile, Karamoja, Acholi, Teso,

Buganda, Bugisu, Lango, Bukedi, Sebei, Bunyoro, Toro-Rwenzori, Kigezi and Ankole region.

The findings of the regional consultations, public hearings, expert reports, and memoranda from key institutions and individuals, are being used to inform the formulation of a macro policy framework for human capital development in the country. Additionally, the Commission is using reports of benchmarking trips to countries within Africa – in line with regional integration policies and protocols, given that neighboring countries, especially border communities have shared experiences. The Commission too visited other continents, mostly, to identify education policies employed by these countries to attain high productivity and rapid economic growth.

During the regional tours and consultations, the Commission met key education stakeholders in the local governments across Uganda. These included leaders, educationists, civil society, religious leaders, cultural leaders, religious-founded education entities, community leaders, umbrella bodies, teachers, parents, learners, and members of the public.

Similarly, the Commission visited schools and institutions of learning to get firsthand impressions of the education system – curriculum application, teacher-pupil ratio, attendance, school feeding, building structures, quality of teachers, administration, fees structures, and more.

Furthermore, an avenue was given to the public to participate in face-to-face public stakeholder engagements organized in every region. These were widely announced on lead regional radio stations, inviting the public to participate. Coupled with this, were radio talk shows hosted by the Commission, where the public was invited to submit their proposals and recommendations.

The Commission engaged several lead media houses at the national and regional level to document proceedings of all stakeholder consultations and public hearings throughout the duration of education policy review process. These frequent and continuous news updates caused an active participation of citizens in shaping a new education policy. The media coverage of the consultations and commentaries are published through multimedia channels such as radio, print, television, and several social media platforms.

The core mandate of the Education Policy Review Commission entails firstly, the review of the implementation of the 1992 Education Policy, emerging education needs, trends, and various innovations in the sector. The end result is the drafting of a Report to form a macro policy framework for the education and sports sector in the country.

The Commission is currently, compiling and analyzing views, proposals and recommendations received over the months from various engagements with

stakeholders. At the same time, the Commission is concluding its Report based on the above findings, rapid assessments of Uganda’s current education system, extensive in-depth research and analysis, benchmarking case studies of several countries, and reports prepared by thematic education experts.

The final Report will be submitted to the Minister of Education and Sports, to inform the formulation of a new macro policy framework for human capital development in Uganda.