In the latest installment of the UPSTU ProDev Hour held on April 3rd, 2025, Dr. Elong Vincent took the stage to share key developments and milestones from the union’s activities over the first quarter of the year. The session, themed “Union Updates Jan – April 2025,” offered teachers a chance to reflect on the union’s advocacy, strategic engagements, and efforts to elevate science education in Uganda.
Key Highlights
1. Rise in A-Level Enrollment Post-UNEB Results
Dr. Elong opened the session by noting a significant increase in A-Level science enrollments following the release of UNEB results. This was celebrated as a positive indicator of growing interest in science disciplines, aligning with UPSTU’s long-term mission of promoting science for development.
2. UPSTU’s Position on the Adapted A-Level Curriculum
The union expressed its support for the newly adapted A-Level curriculum, which emphasizes practical competencies and the reorganization of content to remove redundancies and abstract elements. Dr. Elong highlighted that while the subject offerings remain unchanged, the focus now shifts toward skill acquisition and real-world application — a much-needed reform to improve science learning outcomes.
3. Advocacy in National Policy Spaces – COPSTU Engagements
A major focus of the session was UPSTU’s involvement in high-level national policy discussions. In February 2025, under the umbrella of the Confederation of Public Service Trade Unions (COPSTU), UPSTU made several proposals to the Parliamentary Committee reviewing the Public Service Pension Fund Bill 2024. Notably, Dr. Elong presented recommendations to revise the pension formula — an issue central to the welfare of all public servants.
4. Women’s Day 2025 and Science Innovation Competitions
The ProDev Hour also spotlighted the union’s community engagement, particularly the celebration of Women’s Day 2025 and the rollout of the Science Innovation Projects Competition 2024. The competition will be piloted through four regional events in Lira, Mbale, Mbarara, and Kampala, culminating in a national showcase. The plan is to eventually scale the initiative to all 15 sub-regions, aiming to nurture grassroots innovation in science education.
Looking Ahead
The session concluded with an open Q&A and sharing segment, where teachers were invited to voice their ideas and concerns. The transparency and inclusivity fostered in these engagements continue to reinforce UPSTU’s commitment to empowering science educators across Uganda.
As Dr. Elong reiterated, the union’s work is driven by its vision of Science for Development and Transformation. The updates shared reflect a dynamic and responsive organization advocating not just for policy change, but for teacher development and student success across the country.