Prof. Muganga ‘Curses’ Ancient Education System: “Are We Preparing Our Children For The Future Or The Past?”

By Frank Kamuntu

In a bold and thought-provoking public statement, Professor Lawrence Muganga, the Vice Chancellor of Victoria University, has sparked a debate with a passionate call to reimagine Uganda’s education system. Arguing that traditional methods are outdated and economically unsound, Prof. Muganga is urging parents and educators to rethink how children are being prepared for the future.

In a message titled “Reflecting on Our Children’s Future,” Prof. Muganga questions whether the current education system is aligned with the realities of the modern world or if it is still stuck in preparing children for a world that no longer exists.

“The traditional one-size-fits-all school system is outdated. It was built for a different time and a different kind of economy,” he wrote. “Today’s world demands something better, something more flexible and more focused on real skills.”

Challenging The Boarding School Model

One of the most striking parts of his statement is a direct challenge to the cultural attachment to boarding schools in Uganda. Prof. Muganga asserts that many boarding schools offer “little to no clear academic or developmental advantage” and are often chosen not for their effectiveness but simply because they are familiar to parents.

He suggests that well-run day schools, equipped with technology and rooted in the social and economic realities of communities, offer more personalized and practical education outcomes for children.

Prof. Muganga doesn’t stop at criticizing the old ways, he presents a compelling alternative. He proposes that instead of spending millions of shillings on boarding school fees each year, parents could consider investing that money into Treasury Bills, Bonds, or Unit Trusts over the course of their child’s education.

“By the time your child graduates, they could have a financial foundation stronger than any inheritance,” he explained. “Money they can use to start a business, fund further education, or simply explore life with confidence.”

This shift, he argues, would not only secure a child’s future financially but also instill in them a mindset of independence and innovation, rather than dependency and job-seeking.

Prof. Muganga’s message is not merely academic. It is deeply personal. He makes a heartfelt appeal to parents, urging them to see education not just as policy, but as a defining investment in their family’s legacy.

“This is not just about education policy. This is about your child’s life. And your family’s legacy,” he emphasized.

He calls for a national reset—a moment of reflection and brave decision-making. His challenge is not just for schools, but for every Ugandan parent to pause and ask: Are we educating our children to survive yesterday—or to thrive tomorrow?

Rethink, Reset, Rebuild

Prof. Muganga’s ideas come at a time when conversations around education reform are growing louder across Africa. His voice adds weight to the growing movement advocating for 21st-century skills, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and financial intelligence from a young age.

“Clinging to outdated traditions does not protect our children’s future. It only delays it,” he warned. “The real question is: What kind of future are you building—for them, and through them?”

As Vice Chancellor of a university already known for championing experiential learning and technology-driven curricula, Prof. Muganga is not only preaching change, he is living it.