Educational institutions are embracing a transformative approach to leadership by empowering school leaders to become true champions of learning. The Aga Khan University Institute for Education Development, East Africa (IED, EA) in partnership with Muni University in Arua, Uganda have launched a Diploma programme in Educational Leadership and Management (DELM).
The programme, which falls under the Foundations for Learning (F4L) project, will incorporate a blended learning approach. With an enrolment of 35 students under full scholarship, the programme is envisioned to change the educational leadership style in the West Nile region in Uganda.
The DELM programme is creatively designed to develop school leaders who are highly skilled, driven and responsive to uncertainties in education in the 21st century. This will enable them to harness the tools, resources, and support needed to drive meaningful change and foster a culture of continuous learning within their schools.
Professor Jane Rarieya, Dean at IED, EA said, “Whilst many leadership programmes focus on developing leaders' administrative skills, this diploma aims to develop school leaders as leaders of learning. This is especially important as we continue to entrench the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). We have observed that part of the hindrances to successful implementation of the CBC in schools, is that our school leaders feel lost about how to appropriately support their teachers and learners in this new curriculum."
The collaboration between IED, EA and Muni University is crucial in the delivery of the programme. School administrators and leaders will be empowered to become effective facilitators of learning. This will in turn equip them with the necessary skills to create transformative learning environments, ensuring the success of learners and teachers.
“As a university, we want to pledge commitment in ensuring that students are fully integrated in the school systems and culture. We also pledge commitment in ensuring quality in delivering course content and assessment of the students in accordance with the set national and university standards," said Dr Simon Anguma, acting Vice Chancellor of Muni University.
The F4L project strives to empower students, teachers, school leaders, families, communities, civil society organizations, and government leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to foster inclusive and high-quality education that embraces gender equality and pluralism in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Currently, a total of 108 head teachers and deputies are enrolled in the three countries, with a focus on developing their leadership abilities to become effective facilitators of learning within their schools.
