By Wadulo Arnold Mark.
KITENDE – In a strategic move to streamline the transition from high school to higher education, Access International School, Chitende, recently hosted the Next Step Career Guidance Summit. The event brought together educators, industry professionals, and students to address critical information gaps and the complexities of navigating international curricula within the Ugandan education landscape.
As international schools in Uganda continue to grow, parents often face concerns regarding how students on American or British tracks can integrate into local or regional universities. Anne Mpoza, the Principal of Access International School, clarified that the school operates a dual curriculum to provide flexibility for its K-12 students. To ensure a seamless transition, the school works closely with the Ministry of Education to equate transcripts. “Our first student who joined a university in Germany had their results equated, and the same process allows our graduates to join any university in Uganda,” Ana explained.
The summit was moderated by Penelope Nanunda, a career guidance coordinator and journalist who founded the Next Steps initiative to address the “very big gap” between high school and vocational or university life. Nanunda emphasized that many students choose the wrong courses due to limited information or parental pressure. The summit seeks to provide mentorship and industry insights so students can choose professions that sustain them both financially and passionately.
A key highlight of the engagement was the conceptual distinction between different types of professional support. Gideon, a former president of the Uganda Association and event observer, noted that students learned to distinguish between “destiny helpers”—those who open doors of opportunity—and mentors, who provide active, day-to-day guidance. “The mentor holds your hand… and when he sees you taking the wrong path, he pulls you back and guides you like a shepherd,” speakers noted during the session
Character and “Divine Purpose” Beyond academic excellence, the summit emphasized soft skills and ethics. Access International School operates under the motto “Learning with a Divine Purpose,” focusing on character development alongside professional growth. This sentiment was echoed by students, who highlighted that “manners” and “respect” are just as vital as grades, especially in sensitive fields like medicine. “You shouldn’t be the rude doctor,” one student remarked, emphasizing the importance of communication and empathy in professional life.
By introducing career guidance as early as Grade 9, the school aims to help students select the right subjects for their future careers, ensuring they are not only academically prepared but also “armed with information” to become better citizens.
