KAMPALA – UGANDA
Speaking on Friday while releasing the 2025 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results at State House, Nakasero, the minister said learners can now transition directly from Primary Seven into community polytechnics under the newly established Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
“In 2025, with the enactment of the TVET Act 2025, the technical and vocational education system regulated by the TVET Council was legally established in Uganda to exist alongside the general education system. This technical vocational education system is also a pathway that learners who complete Primary Seven can pursue,” Janet Museveni said.
Community Polytechnics as Alternative Pathway
The minister noted that government currently runs 42 community polytechnics, alongside about 100 privately owned institutions, all of which are able to absorb learners transitioning from Primary Seven.
She explained that learners who enroll in community polytechnics can obtain a qualification equivalent to O-Level after completing three years of training.
“The study duration in community polytechnics is three years, upon which the successful trainee is awarded a Community Polytechnic Certificate that is equivalent to completion of O-Level,” she said.
Changing Perceptions About TVET
Despite the growing opportunities in technical education, the minister observed that most Primary Seven leavers still aspire to join secondary schools rather than pursue TVET pathways.
However, education and skills development experts say technical and vocational education should no longer be viewed as a second option.
“TVET is not just a fallback option; it is a powerful pathway to employment. It is the accelerator of job creation, entrepreneurship, industrialization, and inclusive growth,” said Ham Wilson Lukurwe, an education and skills development expert.
Experts argue that early entry into TVET allows learners to acquire market-ready skills within a shorter period, enabling them to contribute productively to the economy.
