Grapevine

We’re too broke to pay our own fees, teachers say

Teachers from the Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions have called on the government to sponsor education for all Grade III teachers to enable them to attain university degrees. They argue that their current meager salaries are insufficient to fund further education.

The 2019 National Teacher Policy mandates that all teachers, from pre-primary onwards, must hold a minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, which requirement is set to be fully enforced by 2030.

Last week, the National Teachers Bill of 2024 was introduced, aiming to reinforce ethical standards within the teaching profession. The Bill proposes a penalty of Shs14 million for any learning institution that hires teachers without a practicing licence. The Bill, tabled by the State Minister for Higher Education, Mr John Chrysostom Muyingo, stipulates that all teachers in Uganda must register to practice, with a degree in education being a key qualification for registration.

However, during a four-day consultative meeting organised by the Education Policy Review Commission at the weekend, stakeholders from the Tooro and Rwenzori sub-regions expressed mixed reactions. Many teachers, particularly those with Grade III and Grade IV qualifications, highlighted the financial difficulties they face in attaining degrees.

Dr Amanya Mushega, the chairman of the commission, explained that their role is to gather views from stakeholders across the country to compile a comprehensive report with recommendations for the government on areas of success and improvement.