Introduction to Makerere University

Established in 1922 as a humble technical school, Makerere University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Africa. n !anuary of that year, the school, "hich "as later renamed Uganda #echnical $ollege, opened its doors to 1% day students "ho began studying $arpentry, &uilding and Mechanics. #he $ollege soon began offering various other courses in Medical $are, Agriculture, 'eterinary (ciences and #eacher #raining. t e)panded over the years to become a $entre for *igher Education in East Africa in 19+,. n 19+-, the $ollege started developing into an institution of higher education, offering post.school certificate courses. n 19%9, it became a University $ollege affiliated to the University $ollege of /ondon. n 190+, after becoming the University of East Africa, the special relationship "ith the University of /ondon came to an end and degrees of the University of East Africa "ere instituted. 1n !uly 1, 19-2, Makerere became an independent national university of the 3epublic of Uganda, offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses leading to its o"n a"ards

The School System in Uganda

Formal education had four levels. The first level consisted of seven primary-school grades (standards one through seven), usually beginning about age six. Based on test scores in seventh grade, pupils could enter one of several types of institutions--a four-year secondary school (" -level"), a three-year technical training institution, or a four-year teacher training college. !bout "# percent of those $ho passed " -level" examinations continued their education through one of several options--an advanced t$o-year secondary course ("!level"), an advanced t$oyear teacher training course, a technical institute, or a speciali%ed training program provided by the government. Those $ho completed "!-level" examinations might study at &a'erere (niversity in )ampala or they might study abroad. ther options for "!-level" graduates $ere the (ganda Technical *ollege, the +nstitute of Teachers, -ducation (formerly the .ational Teachers, *ollege), or .ational *ollege of Business /tudies.