Kampala — The new curriculum for technical colleges will focus on the changing trends of technology. "The quality of the technology, the maintenance and repairs of the different systems are very important for a sustainable and prosperous society," said Dirk Sijbesma, a curriculum specialist from the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

Dirk is part of the team helping with the new curriculum expected to be ready by September 2010 while the Dutch government is financing the process with two million euros.

The curriculum currently in use is outdated, lacking the input of the several technological, social and other scientific advances that have occurred in the last several decades.

Dirk explained that all prosperous countries have focused on improving the quality of their education, an example that Uganda needs to borrow.

Government has also turned its attention to technical and vocational education as a way of creating a critical mass of citizens who will be job creators.

"The knowledge of the people will determine their prosperity in any country. Education is a key factor," said Dirk.

Kyambogo Engineering Services has been contracted to undertake the re-design and development.

The Hanze University is providing the technical input into the new curriculum for the four Uganda Technical Colleges; Lira, Kichwamba, Elgon and Bushenyi colleges.

The new curriculum development is being co-ordinated by National Curriculum Development Centre with input from Uganda National Examination Board and the four technical institutions.