International schools must choose one curriculum – govt

What the report says

The Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda has moved to tighten oversight of international schools, saying institutions that combine foreign and Ugandan curricula must either choose a clear licensing route or satisfy both systems’ requirements separately. Frances Atima, the ministry’s chief education officer for standards and quality assurance, said there is no legal “middle ground” for schools operating under one registration while offering both pathways.

The Observer reported that the guidance is tied to the government’s broader effort to regulate a sector it says had long lacked clear standards. New Basic Requirements and Minimum Standards for International Schools were introduced in May 2026, and officials say they are meant to help inspectors distinguish genuine international schools from local schools using the label. The ministry also said some schools have been operating from residential houses or charging high fees for programmes that closely resemble the national curriculum.

According to the article, the ministry plans a nationwide validation exercise before the end of the year to map international schools, including those outside official records, and check their licences, curricula, staffing, facilities and other requirements. Schools found operating without proper approval, or failing to meet the standards, could face regulatory action including closure.

The standards cover governance, child protection, health and sanitation, food safety and curriculum approval. They also require foreign curricula to be approved by the National Curriculum Development Centre and recognised by an international accreditor. Education consultant Gonzaga Kaswarra welcomed the move as overdue, while saying questions remain around fees, staffing and broader alignment with international rules.