Uganda: Yumbe parents reject local language teaching

Yumbe — A section of parents of Barakala Primary School in Romogi Sub-county, Yumbe District, have opposed the idea of thematic curriculum, which emphasises teaching in local language,saying it affects academic performance.

The parents agreed that the teachers should abandon the local language and teach their children in English language only.

The resolution was reached at a joint meeting of parents and teachers of Primary Seven class.

Mr Ahmed Alianguson, a parent, said teaching children in the local language kills their ability to know the widely recognised English language, thus affecting the performance in Primary Leaving Examinations.

«We have come to learn that this policy of thematic curriculum has affected the primary education cycle greatly in Yumbe District because it is hard for the children to express themselves and analyse examination questions in English. We don’t want our children to be taught in the local language,» he said, adding that in some districts, the thematic curriculum has been rejected. He asked the teachers to implement the resolution.

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Mr Nuru Ajaga, the head teacher of the school, said whereas the thematic curriculum policy has been well implemented, its outcome is not good.

«My teachers came up with this idea last year and if this is what you are proposing as parents, I have no objection. I will communicate the same to the rest of the teachers,» he said.

This is the only primary school in Yumbe District in which parents have openly criticised the thematic curriculum.

According to the National Curriculum Development Centre, there were concerns after research findings by the Ministry of Education and Uganda National Examinations Board indicated that children were reaching P7 without knowing how to read and write.