By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
More than 10,000 learners from 43 secondary schools in Busoga and Rwenzori sub-regions have acquired critical life skills under the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Life Skills Toolkit programme.
The development was disclosed during a Life Skills Convention held at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Saturday.
The programme, implemented with support from Enabel, is aimed at equipping learners with practical competencies necessary for school, work and everyday life.
Speaking at the event, Enabel Country Director Nicolas Oebel said the initiative is part of broader education reforms intended to improve the quality and relevance of learning in Uganda.
“For too long, our education systems have focused on grades over the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges. The Life Skills programme bridges that gap by nurturing resilient, adaptable youth equipped with essential competencies, from communication and leadership to problem-solving and innovation,” Oebel said.
He explained that the toolkit emphasises communication, self-expression, leadership, influence, problem-solving, conflict management, creativity and innovation.
Oebel urged schools to go beyond preparing learners for examinations and instead focus on equipping them with practical skills to navigate real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
“Life skills education fills a gap that grades alone cannot fill. Schools should not only prepare students to pass exams. It should prepare them to face life,” he added.
The first phase of the programme ran from June 2024 to October 2025 and was implemented by over 250 teachers across 43 schools in the two sub-regions.
According to Michel Dewez, Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Belgium, the next phase targets 20,000 learners in 50 schools within Busoga and Rwenzori.
“We hope to continue doing so in the future, as it is only by working together that we can ensure the effective and sustained implementation of life skills education for our learners,” Dewez said.
During the convention, Busedde Seed School in Jinja district and Rusekere Secondary School in Kabarole district were recognised as regional champions for exhibiting exceptional innovation and impactful life skills projects.
“We are excited for the winners of the Most Innovative and Impactful Life Skills Project. This category honours schools that took life skills out of the textbooks and into the community,” Oebel noted.
The programme is funded by the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium and is offered to participating schools at no cost.
