Rethinking Education: The Power of Competency-Based Learning
On Saturday, 12th July 2025, educators, curriculum developers, and education leaders gathered for a highly engaging Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Workshop—an event dedicated to strengthening teaching capacity for modern learning demands.
Led by Ms. Okee Jill Margaret, the workshop took a deep dive into the practical implementation of Uganda’s Lower Secondary Competency-Based Curriculum, focusing on equipping participants with the tools, knowledge, and mindset to make classrooms more dynamic, relevant, and learner-centered.
🧠 What the Workshop Delivered
The CBC approach represents a major shift in educational focus—from cramming facts to applying skills, from teacher-centered instruction to learner-driven discovery.
Workshop highlights included:
- Unpacking the philosophy and framework of CBC
- Understanding Key Learning Outcomes (KLOs)
- Exploring curriculum implementation strategies
- Practical demonstrations of competency-based lesson planning
- Guidance on designing schemes of work and assessment tools
“The CBC is not just a curriculum reform—it’s a transformation in how we shape learners who are ready for life, work, and the future,”
— Ms. Okee Jill Margaret
🎓 Graduate Profile & CBC Outcomes
The workshop outlined the profile of a CBC graduate, who is envisioned as:
- A self-assured individual
- A responsible and patriotic citizen
- A lifelong learner
- A positive contributor to society
This vision is achieved by nurturing learners’ competencies, which include communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, environmental awareness, and collaboration.
🛠️ Teaching in the CBC Era: What Works?
Participants engaged in sessions that emphasized interactive and practical methodologies, including:
- Role plays, storytelling, simulations, and debates
- Peer teaching, cooperative learning, and inquiry-based projects
- Hands-on experiences, real-life problem solving, and presentations
- Integration of soft skills (generic skills) and values into lessons
The workshop illustrated how learning can be made meaningful, using contextual, experience-driven, and flexible approaches to suit diverse learners.
📚 Resources & Sample Tools Shared
A key component of the training was hands-on exposure to:
- Competency-based lesson plans
- Schemes of work structures aligned to learning outcomes
- Formative and performance-based assessments
- Tools for reflection and self-assessment
Sample lesson examples focused on real-world competencies, such as effective communication, teamwork, and ethical reasoning.
📂 Download Workshop Documents
To extend the value of the workshop, we’ve made several key documents available for download:
📥COMPETENCY BASED CURRICULUM
📥 Understanding the CBC
You can access these files at the bottom of this page or visit our Resources section.
💬 Participant Voices
“This was not just another workshop—it was a mindset shift. I now understand how to structure my lessons for deeper learning and real-world impact.”
— Grace T., Secondary School Teacher
“The practical approach and examples made it easy to grasp CBC implementation strategies. I feel confident moving forward.”
— John M., Curriculum Head
