Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-04-04 04:35:28
A crisis is unfolding in Masindi District as government-aided schools grapple with a severe shortage of teachers. According to officials at the district education office, by the end of the third term, most schools had an average of only six teachers each, which is significantly below the recommended number of between 10 and 15 teachers per school. Some of the most affected schools include Kiywamurara, Kimanyar, Kijunjubwa, and Kitamba primary schools.
Ms. Monica Kiiza, the acting district education officer, highlighted the impact of the shortage, stating that the district currently has about 400 primary school teachers, whereas schools with larger populations require between 10 and 15 teachers each. She emphasized the urgency of addressing this staffing gap by requesting the relevant authorities to recruit more teachers to alleviate the situation. Despite the limited number of staff, some teachers continue to be absent from school, leaving students unattended. The district education office plans to engage with school management committees to tackle the issue of absenteeism and ensure students receive proper supervision.
Additionally, Ms. Kiiza mentioned the upcoming review meeting for all head teachers to plan strategies and set targets for improving teacher organization and performance. Mr. Christopher Semu Kugonza, the general secretary of the Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) in Masindi, stressed the need to recruit approximately 500 additional teachers to address the shortage effectively. He cited reasons such as long distances to schools, inadequate support, and low salaries as factors contributing to teachers leaving the profession.
Mr. Kugonza disclosed that from January to June 2023, at least 215 teachers who were members of Unatu had exited the profession to pursue other private endeavors. He identified overcrowded classrooms, substandard school infrastructure, and challenges accessing the payroll as some of the difficulties faced by teachers in the district. Mr. Sam Ayebale Peter, the principal education officer of Masindi Municipality, echoed the concerns about the teacher shortage impacting the nearly 20,000 children attending 28 schools within the urban authority. He called upon the government to urgently address this issue and provide necessary support to rectify the situation.
In conclusion, the shortage of teachers in Masindi District has reached a critical level, posing a significant challenge to the education system. Immediate action is needed to recruit more teachers, improve working conditions, and address the underlying causes of teacher attrition. The collaboration between education officials, school management committees, and teacher unions is crucial in finding sustainable solutions to ensure quality education for all students in the district.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
