Report on The Popularization of Sciences Using Champion Teachers

Abstract

According to its Medium Term Framework (2014-2022), UNESCO will firstly provide policy advice on science, technology and innovation (STI) and strengthening of STI capacities, and secondly enhance international scientific cooperation for advancing inclusive sustainable development, exercise leadership in ocean and fresh water issues and develop holistic solutions to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. This is meant to strategically bridge the multiple gaps between science, policy and society by mobilizing and supporting multidisciplinary scientific knowledge to inform decision-making and promote the ethical, social, environmental and economic aspects of sustainable development. It is important to note that UNESCO’s Director General is the host for a Scientific Advisory Board to advise UN Secretary General and the UN system on how to use science to advance the goals of sustainable development and strengthen the science-policy society interface within the context of the SDGs. UNESCO promotes the practice of integrated science for sustainable development, or sustainability science which draws on the full range of scientific, traditional and indigenous knowledge in a transdisciplinary way to address economic, environmental, ethical and societal challenges. With its category 1 institutes and extensive networks of affiliated scientific institutes and category 2 centres, UNITWIN networks and UNESCO Chairs, the Organization is particularly well placed to facilitate the efforts being made with respect to technology transfer. The sciences form the basis for understanding and analysis of human and natural systems. In this regard, the community of scientists ought to be the engine for generating practical solutions to many of the challenges in the world. Engineering is a vitally important contributor to economic development and job creation, particularly for the youth and this calls for capacity building in engineering and the other science disciplines for advancing sustainable development. Thus, the appalling situation of low popularity and dismal performance in the Natural Sciences at the Secondary School level in Uganda in the midst of high unemployment and declining growth indicators is of great concern and worry and calls for a special attention focused on understanding the problems facing the interest, learning and teaching of the Sciences in Uganda’s Secondary Schools. This initiative by the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO is an effort to experiment the use of teachers as champions in popularizing the Sciences with a view of generating interest that can boost the performance in the schools countrywide. I recommend this report for wider dissemination to share some of the preliminary clues here on which more can be built for improving the situation of Sciences and Mathematics in Uganda.