The implementation of the Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) and the teaching of African languages in schools in Uganda: A case of Luganda language

• Published in: Journal for Language Teaching = Ijenali Yekufundzisa Lulwimi = Tydskrif vir Taalonderrig Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 1 - 32
• Main Authors: Masembe, Edward, Masaazi, Fred Masagazi, Mukasa, Jackson Kizza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South African Association for Language Teaching (SAALT) 01.06.2024
• Subjects: African languages; competency-based curriculum (CBC); Luganda; Study materials; Teaching
• ISSN: 0259-9570; 2958-9320
• DOI: 10.56285/jltVol58iss1a6594

In 2021, Uganda implemented a new curriculum in the lower secondary known as the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). This is principally a learner-centered curriculum aimed at developing the learner’s competencies. This curriculum enables the learner to complete a particular education cycle having acquired self-reliance skills. If this curriculum is implemented well while teaching African languages, it would significantly assist the learners in developing their skills in listening, speaking, writing and reading the African languages including Luganda. However, whereas the government of Uganda rolled out this curriculum (CBC) and went ahead to print and provide books for all subjects to be used during its implementation, the African languages were left out. Therefore, this study intended to analyse how the teachers teach Luganda (one of the African languages) without the basic CBC materials like the teachers’ and learners’ guides, the challenges they meet and how they can overcome those challenges. The researchers used a descriptive survey design for this study. Data were collected using two methods; focused group discussions and observations. According to the study findings, the Luganda teachers have tried to implement the competency-based curriculum using only the CBC local languages framework (curriculum) which is in English, while teaching Luganda. Most of them were not fully trained in the CBC. For the CBC basic materials, most of them are just improvising by getting those written by private authors and not approved by the government. We recommend that in order for the teachers to be able to teach the African languages well in the competency-based curriculum, they should be trained in their languages, they should be provided with teaching/learning materials, and the African languages should be given prominence in the competency-based curriculum. If this is not done, our African languages are endangered.