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CEES Annual Report 2023

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The Year 2023, has been a memorable one in the life of the College of Education and External Studies. The college has made a number of salient achievements, notwithstanding the challenges which when solved made us stand high as a prime graduate teacher training facility in the region and Uganda in particular.

This year’ s annual report 2023 presents the key activities, achievements, networks and challenges registered the college as it embarked back on the journey towards the second epoch of Makerere’s centenary celebrations in 2022 and existence.

With its tripartite mission of: Teaching, Research and Community outreach, the following have been registered:

The year begun with council approving the Makerere University Institute for Teacher Education and Research (MITER). MITER was incepted with a goal of contributing to the University Research Agenda cognizant of the current strategic direction of Makerere University which is skewed towards research led university. MITER was also meant to contribute to the National Teacher Policy (NTP, 2019) – which aims at professionalizing teacher education in Uganda through research.

To achieve its prime goal of professionalizing teacher education in Uganda, CEES, through MITER and in collaboration with the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) has initiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to incept the desired critical pedagogy which is not only of importance to secondary education, but is key to revitalizing university and tertiary education in Uganda. The college is ever grateful to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Nawangwe Barnabas, the Deputy Vice Chancellor- Academic Affairs Prof Kakumba Umar and the Director NCDC Dr Baguma K. Grace. who have linked up Makerere University with The National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) which is a body responsible for the development of educational curricula for Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions in Uganda. Cognizant of the fact that CEES –School of Education mainly serves the constituents of Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary institutions in Uganda.

To realize and fulfill its networking mandate, the college has signed a number of MoUs for example: IODeL signed an MOU with MS Seed Global Health to provide e-Learning and e-Content Development Training for Lira University academic staff members. Forty (40) staff trained and developed e-content for their respective courses. The college also signed an MoU with Uganda police to train Uganda Police officers and men in soft skills. The college through CLL has continued to train and reach out to the most disadvantaged mostly girls through its collaboration with Love Binti International https://us.lovebinti.org “ Love Binti pushing Women empower Project and eyes” on helping their basic needs for sanitary pads and clothing by teaching them tailoring and other sift skills not requiring credited academic programmes.

This year, a number of memorial lectures, conferences, workshops and educational webinars have been arranged in the course of the year for example: Nsumba Lyazi Memorial Lecture of “the unforgettable education Legacy, the Prof. Senteza Kajubi memorial lecture where Senteza was eulogized for enormous contribution towards the education sector. The college also on July 24, 2023, hosted the Distance Education and Teacher Training in Africa (DETA) Conference. In the conference: Researchers discuss transformation of e-learning with a call to embrace distance and e-learnings and address the challenges associated with emerging Information and Communication Technologies. The Centre for Teaching and Learning Support, CEES in collaboration with the University College London, UK organized an Educational webinar entitled: Omissions in Sloane’s Jamaican collections: African slave trade and modern slavery building shared futures. The college also organized a dissemination workshop on ‘Increasing Access to Inclusive and Quality Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training through Open, Distance and e-Learning.

The project was funded by the Government of Uganda under the Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF). The college is ever grateful to the government of Uganda and the Ministry of Education and Sports. Staff in the College of Education and External Studies have embarked on a number of micro and macro educational research projects either sponsored by Makerere’s development partners or the government of Uganda through Mak-RIF. The college received a number of foreign students and vising scholars for example: CEES hosts 21 students from University of Agder, Norway. It also hosted professors from the university of Hiroshima, Japan. At the same time a number of faculty went for post-doctoral studies in USA, Finland and Norway. The Malmo-Makerere University staff and student mobility program has been renewed. It is hoped CEES –ECD/ECCE staff and students will benefit from the mobility to Malmo –Sweden. The college will this year present close to 939 students for graduation, 370 of them male while 569 are female. This number excludes the graduate students who are still defending their study projects. The college is very proud of its undergraduate students who incepted a project called “Teachers on the drive to keep Makerere University clean and off liters “.

As we enter the new year, 2024, the college of education is embarking of transforming its face and to refine its facilities to meet the national and international standards for Increased Access to Inclusive education, given its ever increasing numbers of special needs students. This year in the academic year 2023/24 the college received a pumper harvest of close to 1200 undergraduate BA. ED and BSc. ED student intake. It also saw an approximately 60% increase in the number of its graduate student and PGDE numbers.

The college also hopes to enhance its national and international visibility in e-pedagogical practice and research through IoDEL. The college given its strategic direction drawn from the Makerere University-research –led mantle, which pivots on enhanced staff and student’s capacity in educational research. CEES hopes to expand and grow the EASHESD by setting up a modern graduate training Centre with facilities such as smart and educational PhD conference study rooms at CEES-book bank.

The college hopes to increase its visibility in Uganda’s primary and secondary school education space since the DSTVE staff who are key in Ugandan STEM terrain have been oriented on the New Lower Secondary School Curriculum by NCDC staff courtesy of the CARNEGIE (CECAP) departmental grant. The college in the year 2024 also hopes to realize its dream of having the Early Child Study and Child support Centre built.

I do thank the entire College team for work well done in the year 2023. Specifically I thank Associate Professor Ronald Bisaso, the Deputy Principal for steering the academic mantle of the College, the Deans, Assoc. Prof. Mathias Mulumba, Dr. David Onen the out-going Dean East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development (EASHESD), Dr. Twine Bananuka , the outgoing Dean School of Distance and Lifelong Learning (SoDLL), Dr. Harriet Nabushawo , the incoming Dean SoDLL, Prof. Julius Kikooma who pacified the EASHESD, the various Heads of Departments (Dr. Nicholas Itaaga, Dr. Muhammad M. Kiggundu , Dr. John Ssentongo, the Directors of Institutes: Assoc. Prof Paul M. Birevu, Prof. Fred Masagazi Masaazi and not forgetting the CEES-Centre Coordinators: Dr. Oscar Mugula, Dr. Kabugo David, Dr. Dorothy Ssebowa and Dr. Miiro Farooq in AG. I would also wish to thank the staff who have carried out the teaching mission of CEES.

The College Leadership, staff and students do thank the University Council for providing the pedagogical and non-pedagogical facilitation requisite for their work. Specifically, they thank the Chair Council Mrs. Lorna Magara and her team who took time to visit and talk to the staff of CEES in this particular year ending. Such visits are not taken for granted, they boost staff and cause meaningful accountability on part of staff and the College Leadership.

We, in a very special way thank the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and his team for always providing an understanding ear to our challenges and providing prompt solutions as well as providing the necessary mentorship to us all. Thank you very much.

I do thank the government of Uganda and the various national and international agencies which have funded our teaching, research and enabled us to network as our mandate dictates. We do thank you all and always will count on your support.

As We Build for the Future.

Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga
PRINCIPAL

Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Mak CEES discusses partnership with King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language

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Standing L-R: Dr. Ayoub Twahir Sekitto, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Dr. Hanan Al Malki, Dr. Muhammad Musoke Kiggundu, and Dr. Ibrahim Ssali in group photo on 17th June 2025. Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga meeting with Dr. Hanan Al Malki, Director of Program and Centre Planning and Management, King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, aimed at building institutionalized partnerships in language education in Uganda and globally, 17th June 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

On 17th June 2025, the Principal of the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University, Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga hosted a meeting with Dr. Hanan Al Malki, the Director of Program and Centre Planning and Management at the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, aimed at building institutionalized partnerships in language education in Uganda and globally.

The proposed collaboration presents Makerere University with a golden opportunity to increase the number of students studying the Arabic language at the Undergraduate and Masters’ degree levels respectively through provision of scholarships, as well as, staff and student exchange programmes.

With reference to the 2024/2025 academic year, over 40 students are studying Arabic Language studies under the Bachelor of Arts with Education degree programme, and two (2) students studying the Arabic language at the Masters degree level at the College of Education and External Studies.

Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, CEES Principal, delivering his opening remarks. Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga meeting with Dr. Hanan Al Malki, Director of Program and Centre Planning and Management, King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, aimed at building institutionalized partnerships in language education in Uganda and globally, 17th June 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, CEES Principal, delivering his opening remarks.

Welcoming Director Malki to the College, Prof. Mugagga expressed the readiness of staff members to collaborate with reputable partners to promote language education in Uganda and globally. He was delighted that through this meeting, the College had embarked on a fruitful discussion to partner with an international academy established to teach, promote and preserve the Arabic language.

The meeting brought on board the following academic staff at Makerere University: Dr. Muhammad Kiggundu Musoke-Head, Department of Humanities and Language Education, Dr. Ayoub Twahir Sekitto-Coordinator Arabic Languages at the School of Education, and Dr. Ibrahim Ssali- Coordinator Arabic Language, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Committed to forging collaboration with the College of Education and External Studies at Makerere University, Dr. Malki disclosed that partnering with universities was one of the most effective strategies in the promotion of the Arabic language, and revival of the Arabic culture in Uganda. In line with advancing the Arabic culture and values globally, Dr. Malki emphasized the academy’s focus on language planning, computational linguistics, education, and culture.

Dr. Hanan AL Malki, the Director of Program and Center Planning and Management at the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language. Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga meeting with Dr. Hanan Al Malki, Director of Program and Centre Planning and Management, King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, aimed at building institutionalized partnerships in language education in Uganda and globally, 17th June 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Hanan AL Malki, the Director of Program and Center Planning and Management at the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language.

Contributing to the discussion on examining proficiency in the language, Dr. Malki recommended the use of digital testing to measure students’ proficiency in Arabic language.

During the meeting, both parties agreed to actively participate in the rejuvenation of Arabic studies at Makerere University and Uganda at large, through frameworks and institutionalized approaches guided by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU would set parameters for the collaboration integrating the proposed hosting of an Arabic Centre at Makerere University, provision of scholarships, staff and student mobility programmes, joint lectures and supervision, and establishment of teaching and learning facilities.

The College Principal supported the proposal to establish a specialized Arabic Institute with a Language Auditorium. According to Prof. Mugagga, the facility would provide one-stop centre for the teaching of the Arabic language and cultural exchange.

Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Principal CEES receiving a sovereign gift from the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language. Principal, College of Education and External Studies (CEES) Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga meeting with Dr. Hanan Al Malki, Director of Program and Centre Planning and Management, King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, aimed at building institutionalized partnerships in language education in Uganda and globally, 17th June 2025, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Anthony Muwagga Mugagga, Principal CEES receiving a sovereign gift from the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language.

The Head of the Department of Humanities and Language Education, Dr.  Kiggundu Musoke stressed the need to prioritize teacher training in the Arabic language field. He explained that through its degree programmes, the College of Education and External Studies trains a number of students/teachers, who on completion of their studies, contribute to the teaching, promotion and dissemination of the Arabic language in Uganda and beyond.  However, the demand to enroll for the Arabic language studies is curtailed by the financial limitations faced by some of the prospective applicants.

Convinced that if the prospective students are supported financially to access University education the student enrollment in Arabic language studies would increase to the desired levels, Dr. Kiggundu Musoke urged members to expedite the finalization of the MoU to boost collaboration and provision of scholarships to both staff and students.

Ritah Namisango
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Makerere Charts Bold Path for Digital Learning with New ODeL Master Plan

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Stakeholders pose for a group photo at the unveiling and stakeholder review of the Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL). Unveiling and stakeholder review of Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), 5th June 2025, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Makerere University has taken a significant step toward transforming its digital education landscape with the unveiling and stakeholder review of its Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL). The consultative workshop, held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Hotel Africana, brought together university leadership, academic staff, student representatives, and development partners to review the 10-year roadmap aimed at scaling access to quality, affordable, and inclusive education.

The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), Professor Buyinza Mukadasi, who represented the Vice Chancellor. In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza underscored the transformative potential of the KOICA-supported initiative.

Professor Buyinza Mukadasi enjoys a light moment. Unveiling and stakeholder review of Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), 5th June 2025, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Professor Buyinza Mukadasi enjoys a light moment.

“This project is a significant milestone in our journey to enhance the university’s capacity in ODeL,” he noted. “With support from the people of the Republic of Korea, KOICA’s grant will enable us to strengthen our ODeL infrastructure, develop high-quality digital content, and build staff capacity. This investment will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on our institution and the wider education sector in Uganda.”

Prof. Buyinza also paid tribute to the late Prof. Sung Seyeoung, the head of the Project Management Consultant team in Seoul, who passed away earlier this year, describing him as “a dedicated partner in this transformative journey.”

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Ms. Ahn Jihee and part of the audience at the event. Unveiling and stakeholder review of Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), 5th June 2025, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, Ms. Ahn Jihee and part of the audience at the event.

The project, which began in 2024, is being implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS). It focuses on three core components: development of a strategic and contextualized ODeL masterplan; capacity building for academic, administrative, and technical staff; and enhancement of ODeL infrastructure, including a new Learning Management System (LMS), Content Management System (CMS), ICT equipment, and the construction of a dedicated ODeL building.

Professor Henry Alinaitwe, the Project Investigator, emphasized the forward-looking nature of the initiative. “Through this masterplan, we are not only expanding access to higher education across Uganda and beyond, but also redefining how knowledge is delivered in the 21st century,” he said.

Professor Henry Alinaitwe. Unveiling and stakeholder review of Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), 5th June 2025, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Professor Henry Alinaitwe.

The workshop aimed to disseminate information about the masterplan, gather stakeholder feedback, and prepare the document for preliminary approvals by the University Senate and Council. The draft was developed by a joint task force composed of Ugandan and Korean experts, including representatives from KNOU, KDS, Makerere’s Institute of Open, Distance and e-Learning (IODel), and the Directorate for ICT Support (DICTS).

Prof. Alinaitwe noted that all three project components are progressing steadily. Training sessions are underway both in Uganda and Korea, and the design for the Mak-ODeL building is currently 60% complete, with construction expected to commence later in the year.

The ODeL Master Plan (2025–2035) envisions Makerere as a regional hub for digital education. It outlines strategies to increase the number of accredited ODeL programmes, enhance ICT infrastructure, improve content development, and ensure that distance learners can access high-quality and flexible education through the university’s Moodle-based MUELE platform.

Left to Right: Part of the Makerere team—Co-PI Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, PI Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, and Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda, Unveiling and stakeholder review of Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), 5th June 2025, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Left to Right: Part of the Makerere team—Co-PI Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, PI Prof. Henry Alinaitwe, and Prof. Paul Birevu Muyinda.

Speaking at the workshop, KOICA Country Director Ms. Ahn Jihee commended Makerere for its commitment to digital transformation. “We believe education is a powerful driver of national development, and we are proud to partner with Makerere University on this ambitious journey,” she said. “Our partnership is not just about technology, but about building resilient systems and empowered people who can shape the future.”

She also recognized the efforts of both Ugandan and Korean teams and encouraged continued dialogue and knowledge sharing.

Currently, only 8 of Makerere’s academic programmes are offered through ODeL. However, the university’s Strategic Plan (2020–2030) envisions a substantial increase in that number. The new masterplan draws from international best practices including models from KNOU, Hanoi Open University, and the Africa Virtual University.

Ms. Ahn Jihee. Unveiling and stakeholder review of Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), 5th June 2025, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ms. Ahn Jihee.

Prof. Alinaitwe extended special thanks to KOICA and its Kampala-based experts Prof. Kim Hyunjoo and Mr. Kim Kihun for their ongoing support, and acknowledged the contributions of the Makerere team—Prof. Paul Muyinda, Dr. Godfrey Mayende, Dr. Harriet Nabushawo, Dr. Richard Kajumbula, Mr. Samuel Mugabi, and Co-PI Dr. Venny Nakazibwe.

“We are laying the foundation for a future where Makerere University can provide education that is not just accessible, but also adaptable to the needs of learners wherever they may be,” he concluded.

The masterplan, once finalized and approved, is expected to usher in a new era of blended, learner-centered education that meets both local and global demands.

Professor Anthony Muwagga Mugagga. Unveiling and stakeholder review of Draft Master Plan for Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL), funded by KOICA and implemented with technical support from the Korea National Open University (KNOU) and the Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), 5th June 2025, Hotel Africana, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Professor Anthony Muwagga Mugagga.

In his closing remarks, Professor Anthony Mugagga, who represented the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration), applauded participants for their insightful engagement. He emphasized the need for academic units to take ownership of ODeL implementation.

“The future of education is blended and borderless,” Prof. Mugagga said. “We must collectively embrace this shift—not just through policy, but through action: by developing new programmes, supporting learners, and investing in infrastructure that will carry us into the next generation of higher education.”

He also expressed appreciation to KOICA for its continued support and funding, which he said is helping to shape a more resilient and inclusive education system for Uganda and the region.

Betty Kyakuwa
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Trump vs. Harvard: A Threat to Academic Freedom Driving African Students to China

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Harvard Business School, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Source: Faith Ninivaggi

By Eutychus Ngotho Gichuru

The escalating fight between veteran US President Donald Trump and the powerful American institutions like Harvard University is politics, it’s bare-faced incursion into intellectual freedom that can reshape the international world of higher education, particularly for Africans. The latest “scandal,” Trump’s combative condemnation of colleges as liberal ideological hotbeds, amplified by legal intimidation and political retaliation against colleges like Harvard, is damaging America’s international reputation as the academic gold standard. Unless the trend continues, African scholars have long regarded American colleges as embodiments of intellectual liberty will seek further afield, such as China’s Tsinghua University, and redefine the landscape of scholarship.

Trump himself, bloated-check on his 2024 campaign and beyond, denounces elite universities as “woke” indoctrination centers. Demands to defund universities, ideological segregation, and laser-beam focus on diversity programs have chilled the atmosphere. Harvard, already on trial for affirmative action and accused of suppressing conservative thinking, is under greater scrutiny than ever. The Trump-endorsed Supreme Court win in 2023 over the case against racially discriminatory admissions, as a triumph for Trump and his faithful, has been exerting political pressure on institutions to fall in line. Politicization is destroying the very essence of intellectual freedom: freedom to pursue truth through means of open-ended inquiry, unhampered by interference.

For African students, it is shattering the American academic dream. America has been the preferred destination of African Muslims for many years, with 400,000 or more African students enrolled in American universities by 2023. Harvard stands for hope, intellectual activism, and interdependence worldwide. But when academic freedom is attacked, either in Muslim nations by executive fiat or group demonization, students question the system. The image of American universities as payoff politics centers rather than temples of knowledge is a great discourager.

Take the case of China, which has placed its universities at the world map. Tsinghua University, affectionately referred to as “China’s MIT,” features among the top 20 universities in the world with state-of-the-art research in AI, engineering, and global governance. China’s Belt and Road initiative has already prompted scholarship collaborations with Africa, awarding more than 50,000 African students scholarship annually. China provides an open alternative to America, in which political anti-foreigner prejudice and visa controls have tightened but in which Tsinghua’s insistence upon technical discipline and non-Western-inspired political scandal-mongering offers a sanctuary to those denied security and possibility.

Life for African students is a game. If the shine fades from American campuses, Nigerian, Kenyan, or Ghanaian students may be lured by the more appealing prospect of subsidized campuses and meritocratic competition culture of Tsinghua. Chinese universities, though not inexpensive, are another deal: intellectual seriousness untainted by ideational competition distorting American campuses. To Africans bureaucratically and financially strained in America, China’s streamlined visa process and subsidized schooling are appealing. Tsinghua welcomed 20% more African applicants in 2024, and the figures can only go up if America’s learning environment deteriorates.

This has far-reaching implications. Chinese-educated Africans will increasingly adopt the Beijing approach to geopolitics, enhancing China’s soft power in Africa. America will lose the intellectual and cultural capital that it has gained through decades of exportation of Africa’s best and brightest for studies in its institutions. Harvard-educated African leaders have led the innovation and governance driver in the continent; a transition to Tsinghua would funnel those networks into China’s quarter. In order to ensure academic freedom and global competitiveness, America should not politicize its colleges and universities. Institutional autonomy must be upheld by academics and legislative members in a situation where scholarship, rather than ideology, is the basis of higher education. For the students from Africa, the consequence is ominous: college selection not only determines their future but that of the continent. And if the Trump-Harvard soap opera continues chewing away at American scholarship’s trust factor, Tsinghua’s gates will swing wider and wider, and Africa’s best and brightest will walk through them with the U.S. in their rearview mirror.

About the Author

Eutychus Ngotho Gichuru is a Doctoral Student at East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development, College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Eutychus Ngotho Gichuru is a Doctoral Student at East African School of Higher Education Studies and Development, College of Education and External Studies (CEES), Makerere University.

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