The Ministry of Education and Sports has flagged off 733 Primary Science Kits to 42 districts across Uganda, marking another milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen practical science learning in primary schools.
The distribution is part of ongoing efforts to address the challenge of limited access to practical science learning materials, particularly in schools that cannot afford conventional laboratories and scientific equipment.
The science kits, developed as “mini laboratories for primary schools,” provide teachers and learners with practical materials that enable them to explore scientific concepts through observation, experimentation and hands-on learning.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi, Commissioner for Basic Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasized the importance of developing practical skills and creativity among learners from an early age.
“In this century, a lot of skills are needed, including creativity, and this is something that needs to start from the lower classes, especially at primary level,” Dr. Mugenyi said.
Reaching More Schools with Practical Science
The Primary Science Kit initiative began in 2021 with a pilot involving about 334 schools. Since then, the programme has expanded progressively, with thousands of public primary schools now benefiting from the initiative.
According to Dr. Mugenyi, the Ministry has so far supplied science kits to 3,889 public primary schools, representing approximately 31 percent of the 12,550 public primary schools in the country.
He noted that the Ministry is prioritizing disadvantaged and underserved areas where inadequate access to practical learning resources continues to present challenges to effective science education.
“Our plan is to make sure that every school receives this science kit. There is commitment by government to ensure that this happens,” Dr. Mugenyi said.
Making Science Practical
The science kits are designed to make science learning more practical and learner-centred by allowing pupils to interact with materials and observe scientific concepts rather than relying solely on theoretical explanations.
For teachers, the kits provide practical teaching resources that can simplify lessons, improve demonstrations and reduce the time required to explain concepts that learners can better understand through hands-on activities.
“Teachers are actually very happy, and learners are very happy to receive these materials because learners can now study things that they can see,” Dr. Mugenyi said.
The approach supports the development of critical skills such as creativity, observation, experimentation, problem-solving and critical thinking, skills that are increasingly important for learners in a rapidly changing world.
RIFI’s Contribution to Practical Science Education
River Flow International (RIFI) continues to work alongside education stakeholders to support the integration of practical science learning in Ugandan schools.
Through its Primary Science Kits and teacher support platform, RIFI supports schools with practical learning resources while strengthening teachers’ capacity to use hands-on approaches in science teaching.
The kits complement efforts by the Ministry of Education and Sports to improve the quality of science education and expand access to practical learning opportunities, particularly among learners in underserved communities.
The continued rollout demonstrates the importance of collaboration between government, education partners and innovators in addressing barriers to quality science education.
Looking Ahead
With the latest distribution bringing the number of beneficiary schools close to 4,000, the programme represents significant progress towards expanding practical science learning across Uganda.
RIFI remains committed to supporting efforts that enable every learner to learn science by doing, regardless of the resources available at their school.
As the rollout continues, the shared goal is clear: to ensure that learners across Uganda could experience science practically, develop essential skills and build the confidence needed to become creative problem-solvers and innovators.
