Since the inception of formal education, there have been children of foreigners, working in Uganda, attending some Ugandan schools.

Nakasero Primary School had a number of foreign students, mainly British, who returned to their home country and continued their education.

In the 1960's, Aga Khan Secondary School in Kampala with an Irish headmaster and mainly expatriate staff; provided education of international standards, though not necessarily international education.

Children were taught under the Ugandan curriculum and did local examinations. Nevertheless, the school successfully provided education to a number of foreign students, particularly the British.

Why they are growing

The provision of international education is expensive. Maintaining facilities and staff is also expensive, yet more schools are being introduced in Uganda.

There are a number of reasons, but the main one is the increasing demand for schools from foreigners and Ugandans.

When assigned to work in Uganda, those who have children want international education for their children, as it eases moving from country to country. Similarly, Ugandans who have lived overseas, often want their children to continue with international education.

Among the well-off Ugandans, who live in Uganda, there are those want to provide their children with the best educational opportunities. Such parents often plan to send their children overseas, for their university education.

Following an international education, makes getting into top universities abroad easier, provided a student passes the international examinations.

What is international education?

International education is a level of education that allows the recipient to travel to another country and to be educated there, at a national or international school, at the same standard.

International education requires the provision of well- equipped teaching facilities including science, a broad based curriculum, providing for both academic and non-academic learning, and trained teachers to use student centred methods.

A school providing such education has to be accredited by the host country, an examination body of the international exams they plan their students to sit for example Cambridge International Examinations, International Baccalaureate and organisations such as The Council of International Schools and The Middle States Association .

Cristina McConnell Senior educationist,Galaxy International School.