Kyambogo — The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) has officially launched the 2nd International Conference on Curriculum Development, scheduled under the theme “Innovative Curriculum Approaches for Sustainable Education in a Globalised World.”
The launch event took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the NCDC headquarters in Kyambogo, gathering key education stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, and media to set the stage for a major convening of thought leaders on education reform.
Dr. Grace K. Baguma, Director of NCDC, emphasised the centrality of curriculum in shaping not just academic outcomes but the values, skills, and identity of learners.
“We always look for a better next generation – and that means a better curriculum,” she said. “Curriculum is not merely a list of subjects. It is a vision of our nation. It shapes the competencies, the values, and the attitudes of our learners.”
Dr. Baguma highlighted the Centre’s broadened mandate under the amended 2021 Act, which includes vetting and approving external and international curricula to ensure alignment with Uganda’s values and development goals.
“We must bring back the glory of Ugandan education. A curriculum must produce a learner who is fit not just for Uganda, but for the world,” she said, stressing the importance of competency-based education and holistic learner development.
NCDC has rolled out the Lower Secondary Curriculum and is currently reviewing both the primary and upper secondary curricula to align with a competency-based approach. New curricular materials are also being developed for early childhood education (ages 0–6), foundational education, special needs learners, and co-curricular activities, including talent development.
“We are not just preparing learners for exams, but for life. A whole person. That’s the core of curriculum reform,” Dr. Baguma added.
According to Dr Baguma, this upcoming conference is not just another event—it is a critical platform for dialogue, collaboration and progress. “Together we will explore bold new directions in curriculum design and share solutions to real‑world challenges affecting education today.”
Call to Rethink Education
Dr. Richard Irumba, NCDC’s Deputy Director for Research, Consultancy and Library Services, and chair of the Conference Steering Committee, echoed the urgency of reform.
“This conference is not just a ceremonial event. It is a call to rethink education,” he said. “We are living in an era of artificial intelligence, climate change, and shifting learner expectations. Education must evolve, and so must the curriculum.”
He noted that the conference will explore themes such as ICT and AI in education, sustainability, global citizenship, indigenous knowledge systems, entrepreneurship, and inclusive education.
“Our call for abstracts has received incredible responses from across the globe. This reflects the shared commitment to transforming education,” Dr. Irumba said, adding that submissions are open until August 31, 2025.
The inaugural conference held in 2023 at Speke Resort Munyonyo hosted over 520 participants and led to the birth of the NCDC Journal on Curriculum Development, Evaluation and Education, now a home for peer-reviewed academic work by education experts.
Prof. George W. Openjuru, Chairperson of the NCDC Governing Council and Vice Chancellor of Gulu University, underscored the importance of international collaboration in curriculum development.
“This conference provides a platform for global knowledge exchange and innovation. It will help Uganda align its education strategy with the demands of the modern world,” he said. “We are preparing learners for a global workforce, not just the national one.”
Prof. Openjuru called on stakeholders to continue supporting NCDC’s efforts both financially and through participation. “We are confident this second international conference will be another resounding success. When we call upon you, come in your numbers,” he urged.
The conference is expected to attract education professionals from Uganda and beyond, featuring keynote addresses, exhibitions, paper presentations, and policy dialogues that will help shape the future of Uganda’s education landscape.
