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UNESCO's Support for Uganda's Education Sector Recognized by President Museveni
UNESCO joined the government of Uganda to commemorate a belated International Day of Education (IDE 2025) on April 29, 2025, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, with President Yoweri Museveni officiating the ceremony. The theme for this year鈥檚 global commemoration was 鈥淎I and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,鈥 while the Uganda contextualized theme was 鈥減romoting an employer-led TVET System that is functional, effective, and efficient to meet the needs and priorities of the labor market.鈥 The event highlighted the country's progress in education reform, with UNESCO playing a vital role in supporting these efforts.
President Museveni reaffirmed the government's commitment to free education for all, emphasizing the importance of science, innovation, and technology in driving development. He noted that Africa's historical lack of access to education and technology had contributed to its underdevelopment and urged stakeholders to prioritize investments in these areas.
The President extended his appreciation to UNESCO and other development partners for their invaluable support. He stated, "I am pleased to acknowledge the presence of our partners, including UNESCO and the European Union, among others, who are committed to supporting Africa's progress and bridging the gap with the rest of the world."
The President's recognition of UNESCO's contributions to Uganda's education sector underscores the organization's critical role in shaping the country's educational landscape which has yielded significant reforms and enhancements in teacher quality and quantity, data-driven decision-making and prioritization of student health and wellbeing, recognizing the critical interplay between these factors and learning outcomes.
The Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, highlighted the importance of exploring the synergies between artificial intelligence and human capital development in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the broader education sector. She stressed that stakeholders must conduct a thorough examination of how AI can augment human capabilities, fostering progress and improving learning outcomes. She added that through unlocking new opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness in education, AI is positioned to drive progress and enhance the overall quality of learning.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Leonard Zulu, delivered his remarks on behalf UN Agencies. He commended the Ugandan government for leading the way on the African continent in reforming education to remain relevant in a changing world. He highlighted the country's progress in implementing Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE), as well as the adoption of a new secondary curriculum that emphasizes practical life skills.
With the International Day of Education commemoration now concluded, the focus now shifts to the forthcoming High-Policy Dialogue, scheduled to take place in Kampala in June 2025. The forum event will convene key stakeholders in the education sector to engage in meaningful deliberations on strategic solutions and recommendations aimed at elevating the sector.
I am pleased to acknowledge the presence of our partners, including UNESCO and the European Union, among others, who are committed to supporting Africa's progress and bridging the gap with the rest of the world
Technical and vocational training enhances economic growth and is a pathway to social development. It promotes a culture of continuous learning by helping individuals adapt to the changing demands of the job market, in line with Sustainable Development Goal number four
