Uganda June 2025 – July 2030 Funded By Mastercard Foundation Secondary Education Active
The Leaders in Teaching Uganda Program is a five-year Mastercard Foundation initiative aimed at transforming secondary education in Uganda. Implemented through a consortium and aligned with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy to transition youth into dignified and fulfilling work, the programme focuses on improving the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools while promoting inclusive, gender-responsive, and innovative approaches to education.
Goal
To improve the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools, so that young people acquire the skills and competencies needed for dignified and fulfilling work.
Programme Objectives
- Attract and retain teachers, especially in remote, rural regions.
- Support improved pedagogy and delivery of relevant, competency-based curriculum.
- Improve teacher motivation and elevate the status of the teaching profession.
- Create enabling and supportive instructional environments for effective teacher practice.
- Support education leaders in formulating evidence-based policies and plans.
- Support teachers in leveraging technology to enhance teaching and learning.
Project Partners
- Luigi Giussani Foundation (Consortium Lead)
- UNICEF (Consortium Co-lead, ICT integration in teaching and learning)
- Forum for Education NGOs in Uganda (FENU)
- Teach For Uganda (T4U)
- British Council
- Edukans International Uganda
- Brainwave Careers Uganda
- Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS)
- Ed Impact Africa Foundation (formerly STiR Education)
Approach
The Leaders in Teaching Uganda programme is implemented in a consortium model with oversight and strategic leadership provided by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Implementation is anchored on four core programmatic pillars – Recruit, Train, Lead, and Motivate – each led by a specialised partner organisation funded by the Mastercard Foundation.
- Recruit Pillar – Led by the Forum for Education NGOs in Uganda (FENU) alongside Teach For Uganda. Advocates for equitable teacher recruitment and pilots the placement and mentoring of young volunteer female STEM graduates as teachers in rural schools.
- Train Pillar – Led by the British Council alongside Edukans International Uganda and Brainwave Careers. Focuses on strengthening competency-based curriculum implementation, advancing gender-responsive pedagogy, and improving career guidance.
- Lead Pillar – Led by VVOB – education for development, alongside Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS) Uganda. Supports the development of effective school leadership practices across secondary schools.
- Motivate Pillar – Led by Ed Impact Africa Foundation. Enhances teacher motivation and cultivates a culture of continuous professional growth within schools.
Strengthening Teacher Motivation And Professional Growth
Under the Leaders in Teaching (LiT) Programme, Ed Impact Africa Foundation leads the Motivate Pillar in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), Directorate of Education Standards and the Association of Secondary School Headteachers in Uganda. The pillar aims to contribute to a motivated and professionally engaged secondary teaching workforce by strengthening teachers’ intrinsic motivation, professional learning and recognition, focusing on four key areas:
- Scaling the Learning Improvement Cycle: To 27 local governments, increasing the reach to all districts, municipalities and cities, targeting school leaders, teachers and students in the Leaders in Teaching programme schools. Network meetings and peer observations are expected to enhance teacher skills, confidence and a sense of professional competence.
- Teacher continuous professional development certification: Annually certify teachers and school leaders within the Leaders in Teaching Program partner schools in the 27 local governments who engage in monthly network meetings and show evidence of applying the strategies discussed, signalling that their skills and knowledge meet recognised standards.
- Teacher and school leader award and recognition: A micro-innovation search within the Leaders in Teaching schools across the 27 local governments, with the best school leaders and teacher innovators showcasing their innovations on regional radio stations to share learning and affirm their contributions.
- Dissemination of the National Teacher Policy and Rewards and Sanctions Framework: Building clarity, trust and fairness so that teachers feel secure and respected, thereby increasing their retention.
By The End Of The Programme
- Increased number of qualified and gender-inclusive teachers contributing to improved learning outcomes and equitable access to quality education.
- Improved teacher competencies and practices for effective Competency-Based Education delivery in Ugandan secondary schools.
- Improved utilisation of effective leadership practices by school leaders for a better teaching and learning environment.
- Improved teacher motivation reflected in increased satisfaction, professional growth, and retention enabled by recognition, mentorship, and career development pathways.
