Uganda’s new Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy 2025 mandates that all pre-primary teachers be qualified, registered, and licensed. The policy, rolled out nationwide by the Ministry of Education and Sports, requires teachers to hold a degree in pre-primary education or an approved higher education qualification.
The policy covers children from birth to six years, aiming to improve standards for teaching, care, and learning in early childhood education. According to the ECCE Policy 2025 document, “All pre-primary teachers shall be professional teachers who are trained, certified and regulated in line with provisions of the National Teacher Policy and National Teachers Act.” This includes mandatory registration of all pre-primary educators with the National Teacher Council.
Assistant Commissioner for Teacher and Curriculum Implementation Support, Safina Mutumba, has urged teachers to upgrade their qualifications through diploma and degree programmes as the Ministry disseminates implementation guidelines nationwide. Mutumba noted, “We are yet to put the punishments” for non-compliance, suggesting penalties are under consideration but not yet formalised.
The government announced the ECCE Policy framework publicly in April 2026 and has since launched a drive to professionalise pre-primary teaching throughout the country. This move signals stronger regulatory oversight to ensure quality education standards at early childhood levels, which experts say is crucial for long-term educational outcomes.
Some reports mention targeted numbers of teachers for qualification upgrades and scholarship statistics, but these figures have not been independently verified. Nor has the Ministry confirmed specific penalties for institutions or individuals failing to meet policy requirements.
This policy marks a significant step by Uganda’s government towards elevating the professionalism and quality of early childhood education. By requiring formal qualifications and registration, the ECCE Policy 2025 seeks to provide all young learners with skilled and well-trained educators.
CapeFlats.co.za will continue to monitor any developments regarding how early childhood education policies evolve in the region and beyond.