Parents Reject New Education Reform Structure

By Luzinda Peter May 7, 2026

A fierce online debate has erupted across Uganda following growing proposals to reduce the country’s school calendar from three terms to two annually while also reviewing and in some views potentially scrapping nursery education.

The proposals, which supporters say would ease the financial burden on struggling parents and create a less stressful academic schedule, have sharply divided public opinion.

While many Ugandans welcomed the idea as long-overdue relief, others warned that tampering with nursery education could damage children’s foundational learning and weaken overall education standards.

The discussion gained traction through suggestions by businessman and artist Muyanja Sharifu, who argued that reducing school terms would lessen pressure on parents, and media personality Nyanzi Martin Luther, who has advocated for broader education reforms while questioning whether society is fully prepared for such changes.

Supporters of the proposal insist Uganda’s education system has become too expensive for ordinary families to sustain.

Asiimwe Evaristo described the idea as “a great idea,” proposing that schools run from March to June before breaking and resuming from August to November.

He also suggested reducing nursery education to only two years.

Kule Asansio backed the proposal, arguing that “school terms should be two to reduce pressure on the parents, while nursery only one year,” adding that children should begin nursery at the age of five.

Others claimed the current third term serves little academic purpose. KUTOSI BENARD argued that the term is too short and mainly benefits school proprietors financially.

“Now like third term we only make for directors money; it is too short,” he said, although he opposed completely removing nursery education.

The debate quickly evolved into broader criticism of Uganda’s education system and the rising cost of schooling.“It’s only education that has impoverished Ugandans,” argued Osten Bakesigaki.

“The school fees and requirements are too high, but the learner gets no value for the money spent. Government failure to regulate the school fees shows that it cares less.”

Some contributors accused policymakers of protecting personal business interests. Ajio Doreena and Alicefaridah Nakimbugwe alleged that many Members of Parliament own expensive private schools and therefore have little motivation to support reforms that could reduce school fees.

However, a strong counterargument emerged from those who believe nursery education remains essential for children’s growth and future academic success.

“School term cut yes, but banning nursery school is a big NO,” said Seraph Otlego. “Nursery is too important to be tampered with.”

Otlego linked the absence of nursery education to lifelong communication challenges.

“I’m suffering simply because I never did nursery in addition to a poor primary education,” he explained, adding that it contributed to “poor English and poor accent regardless of the academic level attained.”

Wambuga David also warned against reducing terms and removing nursery education, saying it could weaken educational standards and leave children without proper supervision at home.

“This would weaken our education standards and place our kids in the hands of parents or guardians who have no time for them,” he argued, referencing the COVID-19 lockdown period when many children reportedly became more undisciplined at home.

KUTOSI BENARD further defended nursery education, stressing that it “contributes much to our children and prepares them for primary section.

”Others argued that discipline issues are rooted more in parenting and social environments than school calendars.

Kisolo Wodulo maintained that children’s behavior “goes back to upbringing and the environment.”

As the discussion continues to dominate social media platforms, it has exposed a deeper national struggle over balancing affordable education with maintaining quality and strong foundational learning.

The Ministry of Education and Sports has not yet issued an official response to the proposals, but the growing debate reflects increasing public frustration with the cost of education and renewed calls for reforms within Uganda’s school system.

For now, the question remains unresolved: Should Uganda adopt a two-term school system and review nursery education, or would such reforms create more harm than good?