Members of Parliament have called on the Ministry of Education and Sports to revisit the minimum entry requirements for health education institutions, citing concerns over the impact of the new ordinary level curriculum on student enrollment.
Currently, students seeking to pursue certificate courses in health-related fields are required to have scored at least a “C” in science subjects—equivalent to a credit point. However, lawmakers argue that this benchmark is unfair to students who studied under the old curriculum.
Hon. Denes Sekabira (NUP, Katikamu County North) criticized the inconsistency in admissions. “It is self-defeating to allow students with passes in the old curriculum to enroll, yet demand a C in the new one. The ministry should revisit the minimum score,” he said.
Hon. Connie Nakayenze (Mbale City Woman Representative) echoed the concern, urging the ministry to accommodate students who sat exams under the old syllabus. “These students are currently left out in the enrollment criteria,” she noted.
Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for Primary Education, Hon. Joyce Moriku, acknowledged the issues and stated that the ministry remains open to adjustments. “We aim to maintain quality training while considering inclusivity,” she said, hinting at ongoing discussions about lowering the physics requirement, particularly for female students.
Lawmakers also pressed the ministry to prioritize funding for grant-aided primary and secondary schools in the 2025/2026 financial year, emphasizing equitable access to quality education.