Uganda Primary School Structure

Elementary education is the only compulsory level of education in Uganda and is free for all Ugandan children aged six to 13 years. Upon successful completion of the seventh year of elementary education, students are awarded the Primary School Leaving Certificate. The National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC) designs and publishes a standard national curriculum for all UPE elementary schools.

The curriculum is divided into three cycles namely Lower Primary (P1-P3), Transition (P4), and Upper Primary (P5-P7). It seeks to provide a holistic education, developing both the academic skills and personal values of students.

• Ages                            : 6-13 years
• Grades                         : Grade 1-7
• Duration of study       : 6 years
• Primary Languages     : English
• Terms                          : 3 terms
• Admission Term          : throughout the year

At the end of seven years of elementary education, students will sit for the mandatory Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) administered by the Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), which is a requirement for students who wish to proceed to secondary school and some vocational institutions.

Curriculum- the Primary School Curriculum in Uganda aims to enable students to develop competencies and life skills for lifelong learning while emphasizing the importance of literacy, numeracy, language development, values, attitudes, and continuous assessment, to mention but a few.

The Uganda Primary School Curriculum is presented in three cycles, namely, Lower Primary Curriculum, Transition Curriculum, and Upper Primary Curriculum. Some of the subjects in the elementary curriculum include English, Integrated Science, Local Language, Mathematics, Religious Education (Christian Religious Education and Islamic Religious Education), Social Studies, Technology, and Design, Performing Arts, ICT, to mention but a few.

Let us take a brief look at some of the elementary/ primary schools you can find in Uganda.

Galaxy International School Uganda

This is a co-educational, private elementary, middle, and high school that focuses on preparing students for the everchanging world. The school aims to offer a contemporary approach to academic and holistic education, supported by modern technology in an environment conducive to learning. It is a student-centered school that is culturally diverse and that seeks to identify and develop talent in all students. The school offers education for children from Kindergarten to Year 13.

• Address: Plot 1077, Lubowa Estate, Kampala, Uganda
• Grades: Kindergarten to 13^th grade.
• Language of instruction: English
• Fees range: 16 923 306 Shilling-  45 579 156 Shilling per year
• Type: co-educational, non-profit.
• Opening hours: 8 am-3.30 pm Monday to Fridays
• Accreditation: Council of International Schools (CIS), Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA), Cambridge International, Ministry of Education, Uganda.

Primary education here is from grades 1 to 6. From the ages of 6 to 11 or 12 years. It is a place where children can feel safe and happy, enjoy learning, develop socially and feel a sense of belonging.

Facilities- the school offers a wide range of facilities including classrooms, laboratories, ICT labs, mac laboratory, iPad room, Fll room, art, and design rooms, music rooms, libraries, sports facilities, conference hall, cinema hall, dining service, a staff room, and a store, to mention but a few.

Prospective students- GISU admits students from all over the world regardless of their educational and cultural backgrounds. Some of the requirements for admission into the school include:

• Admission Form
• Student Health Record Form
• Report Cards from the past two years
• 2 passport size photographs
• Photocopy of Birth Certificate
• Photocopy of Passport (foreign students)
• Payment of Admission Fee

Tuition and Fees

The following are the fees to be paid by the students here. Note that these are quoted in US$.

Primary section Tuition fees- 2021//22 academic year

Level                                                   term 1             term 2             term 3             per annum

reception                                             1910                1910                1260                5080

Key Stage 1 (years 1 and 2)                2650                2650                1260                6560

Key stage 2 (years 3 to 6)                   3600                3600                1300                8500

Extra costs

Admission fee (once off, non refundabllle)                $550

Caution fee (once off)                                                $300

Boarding fees

1^st term                                                                        $2290

2^nd term                                                                       $2290

3^rd term                                                                        $1145

International School of Uganda

This is an international school in Uganda, the first international school to open in Uganda. The school aims to build the critical thinking skills and creativity of its students that is necessary for realizing opportunities, adapting to change, and developing a personal moral compass. Learning here hinges on 8 key principles as the school believes that learning should be inclusive, inquiry-driven, creative and challenging, Enhanced by the school’s Environment, Social and Independent. 

Junior school section

• Address: Plot 272 Lubowa Entebbe Rd Kampala, Uganda
• established: 17 May 1967
• Grade                          : 1-6
• Duration of study: 6 years
• Student population: 529
• International student representation: 50+ nationalities
• Primary Languages: English
• Terms                          : 3 terms
• Admission Term: throughout the year

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees for the primary section school are as follws:           

Class                                                   1 Instalment               2 Instalments              3 Instalments

Playgroup                                            $5 500                         $2 810                         $1 880

EC1-EC2                                            $6 800                         $3 470                         $2 320

Afternoon Supervision                        $1 200                         $610                            $410

Kinder                                                 $18 600                       $9 490                         $6 360

Grade 1-5                                            $20 100                       $10 250                       $6 870

Other fees

registration fee (non-refundable)                                            $250

Capital levy (one-time non-refundable)                                  $6 000

Curriculum- the school follows the international baccalaureate Primary Years Program which is founded on the most current educational research and best practices, and designed to place the child at the center of the learning experience. The program is designed with the child at the heart, where the child is nurtured, challenged, and supported to excel.

Facilities- students here can enjoy the use of a variety of facilities namely, the Science Centre, a Well resourced Library, a Dining Hall, 2 Sports Fields, Sports Hall, a Full-length Football/Rugby field, a 400m Track, 4 Tennis Courts, 3 Basketball Courts, 2 Swimming Pools, a Climbing Wall, and a state of the art Arts center with A 430-seat auditorium, 2 art rooms, 3 music rooms, A recording studio, A drama room, and A dance studio.

Prospective students- the school has a rolling admission process, meaning students may enroll at any time during the school year.

Extra-Curricular Activities- The school offers a wide variety of activities including Track and Field, Swimming, Choir and Band, Tennis, Cross Country, Basketball, Golf, STEM, Volleyball, Rugby, Drama, and Football, to mention but a few.

Kampala Community International School

This is an international school that teaches children in an active and varied manner, whatever their learning style, and facilitates a lifelong love of learning. The school aims to provide a holistic, broad, and engaging curriculum, and interactive teaching methods that allow for individual differences and learning styles of various children. The learning program here incorporates creative, inclusive, and student-focused learning that fosters independence, curiosity, self-confidence, performance, resilience, and innovative thinking within a safe, and supportive environment. 

• Address: Plot 10, Ntinda View Crescent, Naguru
• established: 1993
• Language of instruction: English
• Type: coeducational
• Terms: 3 terms
• Admission Term: throughout the year
• Calendar: September - June

Curriculum- the school uses the UK's English National Curriculum (ENC), which is adapted to reflect the international nature of the school. The curriculum here nurtures pupils morally, culturally, spiritually, socially and physically, and promotes skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, global awareness, digital literacy, breadth of thinking, and creativity. The curriculum for primary school is as follows:

Key Stage 1-Years 1 and 2- English, Mathematics, Handwriting, Phonics, Guided Reading, Library Time, Science, Information and Communication Technology, History, Geography, Art, Design and Technology, Music, Physical Education, Swimming, and French.

Key Stage 2- Years 3-6- English, Mathematics, Guided Reading, Library Time, Science, Information and Communication Technology,Geography, History, Art, Design and Technology, Music, Physical Education, Swimming, andFrench.

Extracurricular activities- students are offered a platform to take up a variety of extra-curricular activities. Clubs offer a range of activities which vary from term to term and include Gymnastics, Capoeira, Mini Engineers, Kiswahili, Swimming, Mad Scientist, Art, Music, Ballet, Street Dance, Yoga, Chess, and LAMDA