Minister's Message

Government recognizes the role Guidance and Counselling plays in the cognitive and career development, character formation and emotional health of learners at all levels of education. In 1968, a Desk was thus s created by the Post-Independence Government to handle issues of Career Guidance, and the first ever publication on Career Guidance information was issued by the then Desk Officer, Ms. Sarah Victoria Magala.

Thereafter, in the Post Amin Era, Career Guidance continued to be run by a Desk Officer from the Inspectorate Department of thee Ministry, until the restructuring of the Ministry in 1998. This exercise elevated, not only Career Guidance, but also expanded on the scope of Guidance and Counselling services needed in educational institutions.

Thus, a Division was created, headed by an Assistant Commissioner in the Department of Special Needs Education, Guidance and Counselling.

Major efforts, were consequently made by the Division, in standardizing Guidance and Counselling practice in all primary schools and the provision of Psychosocial Support Services, especially to war-affected pupils in Northern Uganda.

In 2008, the Ministry of Education and Sports was again restructured, and Guidance and Counselling became a fully fledged Department of the Ministry. The staff of the Department immediately touched the ground running in January 2009, as there was positive mounting pressures from all stakeholders, on the Sector to strengthen especially Career Guidance Services in all educational institutions.

H.E. the President also issued a directive to the Ministry to that effect. This became necessary since many students were not informed about career opportunities available and as a result, enrolled for courses which would not make them get employment easily. Career Guidance was thus seen as a mitigating factor for (averting) future youth unemployment, by focusing school youth on key skills demanded in the labour markets.

This publication is, therefore, the first major Career Guidance manual produced by the Ministry of Education and Sports since 1968. It is a landmark publication, also marking one year of the life of the Department of Guidance and Counselling.

The manual focuses on the new dimensions in the world of work, the various careers, professional skills and training requirements, as well as the various educational and skills training opportunities available.

I believe that this Handbook will assist learners in identifying their vocation and calling. In addition, I believe it will also help them assess their personal qualities and characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and relate these to selection of subjects, appropriate postsecondary courses, institutions and career options/pathways.

Specifically the e-book:

· provides basic classifications of careers for the purpose of helping students gain better understanding of career options, their requirements (in terms of personal attributes, professional training) and possible employment opportunities; enlightens students and other stakeholders in the Education Sector on the contemporary and emerging trends in the world of work and career advancement; helps students to identify relevant careers in relation to their abilities, interests and values; and provides students with information on the various education and training institutions available to further their education and training in their chosen career paths,

I reiterate the commitment of the Ministry of Education and Sports to continue providing relevant information materials to aid Career Guidance service provision in educational institutions; develop capacity of service providers and provide support and guidelines to educational institutions and stakeholders on good practices of Career Guidance, Educational Guidance, Social Guidance, Psychosocial Support Services and Personal Counselling to all learners and school community members.

The Ministry will continue to focus attention on the services that will promote positive development of learners in all aspects of orientation, education, career/vocational, personal, social, psychological, moral and ethical conduct and living.

Hon. Jessica Alupo, MP

Minister of Education and Sports

January 2014

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