Nurture Interest in Sciences at Primary Level- Barya Advises

The Vice Chancellor of Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAUM), Prof. V. Baryamureeba has reiterated the need to nurture the interest in science subjects at the earliest possible time of one’s life, at primary level to spur economic development.

As a guest on the Fourth Estate Talk Show on NTV on Sunday 24th August 2014, Baryamureeba expounded on reasons why students who do not learn science subjects at an early age are unlikely to pursue them at secondary, tertiary or higher education.

“For most people, primary school is where the interest in science is either stirred or crushed. It is important that each child gets a good start in life; and science and technology education is no exception”, he noted.

According to a study conducted in 2012, once a bad job is done teaching children science and mathematics at primary school level, it’s exceptionally tough to revive their interest in these subjects later in life.

Baryamureeba also urged government to invest in training, recruitment and retaining science teachers to reap big from the Science and Technology sector.

“The biggest challenge we have in Uganda today is lack of teachers. We need to train more science teachers, equip schools with facilities such as laboratories, libraries and class blocks that are fully equipment”, he argued.

He said more than 65% of Ugandan youth labour force is ill educated and unskilled, something he attributes to lack of quality and practical education.

The Professor of computer science commended government’s reforms in the education system and further challenged policy makers to ensure that policies formulated are implemented.

“In Uganda’s Vision 2040, government intends to obtain a globally competitive human resource through skills training relevant to the development paradigm. Such good policies should not only remain on paper”, he explained.

He however noted that successful careers are not only restrained to science subjects adding that people can flourish in either arts or science fields.