BY: Emma Ojok

The new competence-based curriculum introduced by the Ministry of Education and Sports is already yielding positive results at Mvara Secondary School in Arua City, where both learners and teachers have fully embraced its implementation.

Students at the school recently showcased a wide range of innovative project work developed under the Lower Secondary Curriculum, which emphasizes competence-based learning. The curriculum is designed to strengthen learners’ abilities in critical thinking, creativity, communication, problem-solving, and innovation, rather than relying solely on theoretical knowledge.

During the exhibition, learners presented practical projects from different vocational and technical fields, including carpentry, electronics, textiles, metal works, and ICT among others. The displays reflected hands-on skills and creativity, demonstrating how classroom learning is being translated into practical solutions.

One of the students, Elizabeth Rhoda John, a Senior Four learner, said her modern ICT board project was developed to address challenges associated with limited practical learning opportunities in ICT laboratories. She explained that the project is intended to make ICT lessons more interactive and easier to understand through practical engagement.

Caroline Alima, a guardian to one of the students, welcomed the curriculum, noting that it equips learners with practical life skills that can help them become self-reliant. She added that such skills are important in preparing students for life beyond school, even in cases where one may not complete formal education.

The Director of Studies at Mvara Secondary School, Geoffrey Ezati, said the learners have shown a very positive attitude towards project-based learning activities under the new curriculum. He noted that students are increasingly becoming more engaged, creative, and confident in applying what they learn in class to real-life situations.