By Peterson Okwangadude
In an unprecedented move aimed at catalyzing socioeconomic transformation in the impoverished Karamoja sub-region, Quality Education Consultancy Ltd (QECL) and OPUL Skilling Foundation Africa (OSFA) have embarked on an ambitious training program for students and teachers of Moroto High School. This initiative underscores a robust commitment to fostering innovative entrepreneurship, aligned with the overarching goals of the New Lower Secondary Curriculum of Uganda.
The training program, meticulously designed by QECL and OSFA, is pivotal in equipping learners with indispensable 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, information literacy, ICT proficiency, and adaptability. These competencies are vital for nurturing a generation capable of navigating and excelling in the modern global economy.
This educational endeavor resonates profoundly with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government’s manifesto for 2021-2026, particularly its foremost priority: Creating Jobs and Wealth. By embedding these entrepreneurial skills within the fabric of the educational experience, the program addresses core objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — specifically, Goal 1: No Poverty, Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Furthermore, this initiative aligns seamlessly with the World Bank Group’s twin goals of ending extreme poverty and fostering shared prosperity, as well as the African Development Bank’s visionary Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) focused on sustained economic growth and widespread prosperity.
By honing the innovative capabilities of both students and teachers, QECL and OSFA are not merely addressing immediate educational needs but are laying the groundwork for a self-sustaining economic ecosystem in Karamoja. This paradigm shift from traditional educational models to an entrepreneurial mindset is poised to create a ripple effect, transforming the socio-economic landscape of the region.
Dr Joseph Opul (Phd), the CEO of QECL & OSFA, in his heartfelt message to the learners, emphasized the transformative power of education, urging them to seize this opportunity to grow into better individuals who will, in turn, reform Karamoja.
“Use the education and the chance you have got to grow into better people who will, in turn, reform Karamoja, which today is among the poorest regions in Africa,” Dr. Opul stated, encapsulating the essence of the program’s mission.
In essence, the training initiative at Moroto High School by QECL and OSFA exemplifies a strategic convergence of educational reform, governmental policy, and international developmental objectives.
It is a clarion call for a holistic approach to education that transcends conventional boundaries, forging a path towards a prosperous and equitable future for Karamoja