Critically evaluate the Uganda national boards UACE and UCE literature syllabus. a) Give the social, economic and political justification of the texts on this syllabus. It were up to your which texts would you select for these syllabuses (Referring to A level literature). NAKIDDE RITAH b)

A level literature in English consists of three papers. The A level literature syllabus runs for 4 years and the current started in 2015 and it is ending in 2019. Literature paper III handles novels and on the current syllabus we have novels like Oliver Twist by Charles dickens, Houseboy by Ferdinard Oyono, darkness at Noon, Heart of the matter, Murkey River among others. The major reasons as to why literature is taught as that it must educate and as well entertain. The following are the reasons why I think the books on the syllabus are relevant. Politically, these texts expose current situations for example when looking at Charles Dickens Oliver Twist, he exposes. The issue of corruption and materialism at the main work house we see that people in power manipulate. The needy. Mrs. Mann is given money to take good care of the needy, give them food, clothing and good shelter. She claims to be helping them out all in disguise as we see the condition is actually not good. This is what happens been in our society today take an insistence of the chogm scandal where a lot of money was lost yet it was meant to help the AIDS patients. Still on then [political view, Dicken’s novel brings out he idea that those in the high position of are taken as superiors. Considering that Fagin was the leader of all thieves, eh w has the authority to allow anyone into the gang and to dismiss them. He has the right to order for anyone’s death for example we see him attempting to kill Oliver Twist and also he kills his wife Nancy. This is what happens even in our society today where we see many workers have lost their lives for opposing the ideas of those in high position. Socially, literature paper III brings out the racial segregation among people. The text House boy by Ferdinard brings out exploitation of the Blacks by the whites are exploiting black. for example Tondi is bring mistreated for example he is over worked and yet not appreciated, he is imprisoned with out trial and yet he is innocent. He is beaten to the extent that he dies. In our society today we see how European boss mistreat black workers and make them over work like slaves. Furthermore, on the social side, literature paper III shows how people relate with others in Dickens Oliver Twist we see how Oliver suffers at Sowerberry’s place. He sleeps in a room with coffins, he hardly gets enough meals. Mrs. Sowerberry and Noah Claypole mistreat him by beating him up-likewise in mistreated in homes of the rich. Economically, literature paper III captures experiences that show the economic status of society and how people struggle to man over, through such economic hard ships. For example in Oliver Twist given the economic status in London that makes people desperate booking for what to survive on renders them vulnerable and take on any activity that comes on their way. This is seen when Mr. Fagin and the Mocks resort to thefty and indulging young vulnerable children into the activity that they may earn a living. These things happen in our contemporary society where the poor have resorted to thefty especially the children on streets have resorted to stealing in order to earn a living. b) I would choose Charles Dickens Oliver twist the following are the reasons why I would choose that text; The text Olive Twist depicts lessons to the readers. It brings out situations that are our daily experiences for example it asserts a saying that suffering is not death to be true. Oliver suffers from the time of his birth when his mother dies, he has no clothing, does not feed well, he nearly dies of hunger on his way to London. Just like his name Oliver Twist indeed life Twists him but he ends up successful when he inherits his wealth from the mocks. From this one learns to be strong and persevering. Still from that text we learn to correlate and live with other people regardless of their behaviors and practices. This is depicted when Oliver Twist endures the torture and suffering when eh is living at Sowerberry’s place. It’s is not liked by Mrs. Sowerberry and Noah Claypole who abuse him by insulting h his dead mother. They connive and beat him up and also report to Mr. Sowerberry who does the same thing. From this we learn that even those who are needy should not be treated bad. The text also exposes the exploitation of vulnerable people. Oliver Twist is apprehended by Mr. Bumble to go and work at Sowerberry’s home. He is being exploited where we see him being used to take measurements for coffins when someone dies. He is taken to cry on the funeral in order to earn money for Sowerberry and he is not paid for all this. The text is humorous and so interesting to read. The description of Mrs. Mann as being so fat, tall and moves like as if he is heavy is humorous. The scene when Oliver goes to ask for more food and he is hit birth the spoon is also humorous. The description of Fagin’s death also brings out grim humorous. In conclusion, the texts in literature paper III are relevant on the syllabus as they bring out the educative as well as entertaining aspect when related to our society today.