In an era where many schools still rely heavily on theory, Dade Nursery and Primary School has chosen a different path one that prioritises practical learning and skills children can use at home, in the community, and in their future careers.
At Dade, learning does not stay in textbooks. It comes alive in the hands of children.
Recently, at the school’s annual exhibition in Luzira, Kampala, learners, teachers, and parents gathered to celebrate a vibrant culture of hands-on learning. The event showcased tantalising science experiments, crocheting work, baking demonstrations, chess mastery activities, and musical performances all led by pupils.
But for Dade, this was more than a colourful display. It was evidence of a quiet yet powerful transformation redefining education in the community. The exhibition provided a window into how a practical, skills-based approach is reshaping the learning experience for children.
At the heart of the event were live science demonstrations, with pupils confidently showcasing 3D learning models such as the human heart, kidney, skin, skeleton, energy transformation systems, and simple machines.
These models, created by River Flow International, have become essential tools in the school’s learning environment. One teacher remarked, “Our learners now understand science because they do science. They touch it, build it, test it, and explain it.”
The headteacher echoed this, noting that practical learning has significantly boosted learners’ confidence and comprehension. No longer confined to memorizing notes, learners now interact directly with scientific concepts making learning relatable and meaningful.
Nearby, the air was filled with the warm smell of dough and baked snacks as another group of pupils demonstrated how they mix, knead, roll, and prepare simple pastries. Their neatly tied aprons and teamwork reflected how vocational skills are now fully integrated into school life at Dade Nursery and Primary School.
In another corner, soft chatter blended with the rhythmic click of chess pieces. Young players sat around boards, analysing moves with seriousness to demonstrate strategy beyond their years. For Dade, chess is more than a game, it is a tool for sharpening critical thinking, patience, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
And as visitors moved from station to station, a gentle melody floated across the compound. Pupils holding recorders, drums, and other simple instruments performed confidently, proving that music is not an extracurricular activity but a part of holistic learning at Dade.
Pupils performed using different instruments, showing creativity, confidence and teamwork.
Even crochet work, traditionally associated with older generations was proudly displayed by young learners who created mats, decorative items, and small garments with vibrant colours and intricate patterns.
This exhibition was a reflection of a deeper transformation happening at Dade Nursery and Primary School.
The school has deliberately adopted a practical teaching approach that equips children with applicable skills. Whether through science, art, music, cooking or games like chess, learners are encouraged to work with their hands, think critically and express themselves.
The exhibition was a clear window into a bigger story to show that Dade Nursery and Primary School is steadily nurturing a community shaped by skills, confidence, and creativity. Parents who attended the exhibition expressed pride and surprise at how much their children could demonstrate.
“I didn’t know my child could bake or explain a science concept in detail,” one parent said. “The school is opening their minds to what they can become.”
The impact of this approach is already being felt beyond the school’s gates. Children are teaching their siblings what they learn, helping at home with small skills like baking, creating simple household items, and even tutoring neighbours.
The school has become a centre of inspiration showing the community what education can look like when learning is hands-on. Teachers at Dade report improvements in learners’ engagement, confidence, academic performance, and social skills. Parents, too, have become more involved in school activities, recognizing the visible growth in their children.
Dade Nursery and Primary School is not just teaching children,it is nurturing thinkers, creators, innovators, and future leaders. Through practical learning in science, arts, music, vocational skills, and games like chess, the school is shaping a generation equipped not only with knowledge, but with the ability to apply it.
The transformation happening at Dade is a powerful reminder of what education can look like when children are given the freedom to explore, create, and discover.