International Schools ordered to choose one curriculum

What the report says

The Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports is moving to tighten oversight of international schools, saying institutions that offer both foreign and national curricula must either pick a single licensing route or meet the full requirements for both. The ministry’s standards chief, Frances Atima, said there is no legal middle ground for schools that want to present themselves as international while also running the Ugandan curriculum under the same registration.

The new position comes after the ministry introduced the Basic Requirements and Minimum Standards for International Schools in May 2026. According to the report, officials say the rules are meant to close gaps that have made it hard to distinguish genuine international schools from schools using the label without meeting the expected standards. Atima said some schools have operated from residential homes while charging high fees and advertising international education.

As part of the crackdown, the ministry plans a nationwide validation exercise before the end of the year to map international schools, including those not in official records, and check registration, licensing, curricula, accreditation, staffing, facilities and other standards. Schools without proper licences or that fail the requirements could face regulatory action, including closure.

The standards cover governance, child protection, sanitation, teacher ratios and curriculum approval, among other areas. They also require foreign curricula to be approved by the National Curriculum Development Centre and accredited by a recognised international body. An education consultant quoted in the report welcomed the move, while saying issues such as teacher recruitment, curriculum regulation and school fees still need more attention.