Museveni assures teachers on salary enhancement

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 WORLD TEACHERS' DAY 2024 

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has assured all teachers in public service that the government will enhance their salaries — but in a phased manner. 

“Our intention is very clear, the economy is growing and the inflation is low. Our target is to pay all the public servants well but also increase the numbers of the public servants," said Museveni on Saturday (October 19).

"When we closed schools during Corona [COVID-19 pandemic],  the number of learners who were sent home were 15 million. If you take the ratio of 50 learners per teacher, that means we need 300,000 teachers for 15 million children but now we are not able to hire them.

The President made the remarks while officiating at the belated World Teachers' Day celebrations held at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala. 

The celebrations ran under the theme: 'Valuing teacher voices: towards a new social contract for education'.

Museveni explained that due to effective planning and prioritizing, the government started with the enhancement of salaries of science teachers, but that the arts teachers will also be worked on. 

“We should start with something that would get us to a higher level. For example, the availability of electricity will mean more factories and more businesses and that means more taxes and so on.”

He said that due to the idea of prioritizing mass education, in spite of all the problems the country has, the literacy rate has gone up from 43 percent to 76 percent now.

He assured the teachers that the government will examine their request to make the teachers' day a public holiday.

Meanwhile, the teachers were happy that the President has fulfilled his pledge made at last year's celebrations of sh20 billion to support the three National Teachers Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs). 

The funds directed to the SACCOs are expected to provide much-needed financial support to teachers, particularly in rural areas, where access to affordable credit has been limited.

'Very good friends'

President Museveni expressed gratitude to Ireland for its continuous support to Uganda, particularly in the education sector.

“I want to thank Ireland, they are very good friends, always helping sincerely, and their teachers are doing a great job."

Museveni was in the company of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni.

In her speech, she commended the teachers for nurturing humanity through education and also thanked the President for supporting the education and sports sector. 

“Your unwavering commitment to selfless service of our homeland is truly inspiring and we deeply appreciate your continued support for the teachers fraternity."

'Noble call'

The First Lady also lauded the teachers for the perseverance that has enabled them to contribute to the socio-economic transformation of Uganda. 

“In an era that continues to press increasing demands on the teacher, some have opted to exit the practice of this noble profession. On the other hand, some teachers have chosen to adapt to the dynamic context of the profession but on a day such as this, we recognize the contribution by both past and present teachers with this hope that a new generation of teachers is also rising to carry on with the noble call,” she said.

“As it is obvious to all of us, the current generation of teachers is neither the first nor the last we shall have as a country. There are those who have gone before you whose voices from the ages of the past still ring as loud today. 

"Those voices of the past teachers still ring as loud today because of the indelible mark they left on our lives when we were learners.”

Mrs Museveni also urged that the society has a lot of expectations from teachers such as their presence to the learners, role models in conduct and behaviour and protectors of learners. 

“Those are some of the values that we all hold dear to when we think of an exemplary teacher."

The education minister underlined that the core of the problem lies in individual accountability. 

“As much as policymakers can do what is possible within their means to improve the outward form of the teaching profession, there are issues of the heart of the teacher that only the teacher knows and can address,” she said.

She highlighted the contrasting attitudes between teachers in the private and public schools, pointing out that despite earning less and often facing irregular payments, private school teachers show up more diligently than their public-sector counterparts, who are paid better and more regularly. 

“It is not just about the vigilance of the supervisor in the private school but the degree to which this teacher treasures the job they have."

'Ireland a blessing to Uganda'

Addressing government efforts to support the teaching profession, the First Lady acknowledged the resource constraints that have delayed the equal pay rise for all teachers but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its employees. 

She urged patience, emphasizing that when the time comes for all teachers, the increments will be meaningful. 

“If that was to be the case [spreading the little money currently available], the little that you would get would be meaningless to all of you — and then you would all be in the same situation that we are trying to lift out everyone but one at a time."

▪️  Best teachers rewarded with cash prizes, trip to Ireland

The Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to professionalise teaching through the National Teacher Policy approved in 2019 and the upcoming National Teacher Bill 2024, currently under consideration in Parliament. 

She thanked Uganda’s international partners, particularly Ireland, for their continued support in improving the skills of Ugandan teachers.

Over 200 Ugandan teachers have travelled to Ireland to benchmark best practices since 2016, with those who returned continuing to excel in their work.

“I want to thank God for making Ireland a blessing to Uganda. Ambassador Kevin Colgan and your predecessor, Ambassador William John Carlos, thank you for being used by God to not only wish us well but also support our teachers to have the opportunity to learn from their fellow professionals in Ireland,” said the First Lady.

Amb. Kevin Colgan (left) greets Vision Group CEO Don Wanyama at Lugogo

'God-given assignment'

In her comments, primary education state minister Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu underscored the importance of teachers in guiding, inspiring and mentoring the people of Uganda. 

“They have helped us to become better citizens of this country,” she said.

“Your Excellency, I want to thank you publicly for the big heart, the passion and the investment you have put in the education sector.”

The education ministry's permanent secretary, Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, thanked the teachers for their dedication to serve Uganda. 

“Your Excellency, our role as teachers is invaluable because we are an inner profession that is normally aligned with our Lord Jesus Christ. We together with parents are the only category in society that God entrusts with every child that is born so that we develop them in mind, body, soul, personality, character and values,” she said.

“As we serve as teachers, let us always remember that we have a God-given assignment to ensure that every child that comes to our schools receives holistic and quality education and becomes a useful adult.”

Turyagyenda also stressed the importance of teachers in fulfilling Uganda’s Vision 2040, the national framework for the country’s socio-economic transformation. 

“The role of education is the cornerstone of the government’s policy and is essential for the country’s development as highlighted in the pillars of Vision 2040: every child matters, and every child’s achievement depends on accessing the right education."

The ongoing education reforms, particularly the new lower secondary curriculum, have been a subject of significant discussion among educators. 

“I am glad to hear that teachers' representatives acknowledge that the new curriculum is what we needed,” said Turyagyenda, underscoring the importance of teacher support for the success of these reforms.

'Education systems at crossroads'

At Saturday's event, Lamine Mamadou Sow, Chief of Education and Senior Programme Specialist at UNESCO’s Multisectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa spoke on behalf of development partners.

He addressed the growing challenges faced by the teaching profession, emphasizing the need for global co-operation to resolve the crisis.

“Education systems are at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges that jeopardize the future of learning and teaching across the world."

Sow highlighted the findings from the first ever UNESCO and Teacher Task Force Global Report on Teachers, which paints a bleak picture of the state of the teaching profession. 

“The teaching profession is in crisis, with declining social recognition, which exacerbates teacher shortages and makes the profession less appealing."

Sow also outlined a series of critical issues contributing to this crisis. 

“Low pay, excessive workloads, reduced autonomy, and inadequate resources are pushing talented individuals out of the teaching profession, putting millions of students at risk."

The UNESCO official emphasized the importance of restoring trust in the teaching profession by empowering educators to take an active role in decision-making. 

Evans Mutesasira spoke on behalf of the seven teachers unions in Uganda.

He appreciated President Museveni for the unwavering support and advocacy towards teachers in Uganda and also thanked him for taking a positive step in enhancing the salaries of science teachers.

“This significant decision has had a profound impact on science teachers nationwide, serving as evidence of the government's commitment to invest in quality education. We commend Your Excellency for this progressive action,” he said.

“Additionally, I would like to express our deep gratitude to you, Your Excellency, for fulfilling your pledge of sh20 billion towards the National Teachers SACCOs that you pledged during the last Teachers Day on the 5th of October, 2023.”

Teachers Making A Difference

Meanwhile, in a bid to celebrate the remarkable contributions of Uganda's educators, Vision Group, led by CEO Don Wanyama, presented awards to 12 exceptional teachers making a difference in their respective schools in different parts of the country.

The initiative, called Teachers Making a Difference and launched by Vision Group in 2008, seeks to recognize the tireless efforts of teachers in shaping Uganda’s future.

This year, after a rigorous selection process, the 12 winners emerged from 1,300 nominations from across the country.

Each winning teacher was awarded a cash prize of sh2 million and additional support in kind worth sh2.5 million of their choice to go to their school.

As has been in past years, the top six winners will travel to Ireland for professional development courses, an opportunity aimed at enhancing their teaching skills and enriching Uganda’s education system.

"Since the project launch, we have recognized and rewarded 12 outstanding teachers annually. As a result, over 160 teachers have been recognized and rewarded for their commitment to the profession," said Wanyama.

"Your Excellency, since the coming on board of the Embassy of Ireland and Travelcare as our partners for this project, we have not only been able to give the winning teachers reasonable prizes, but the project also profile took an international dimension," added the Vision Group CEO.

"This is because we have been able to sponsor the six most-outstanding teachers for professional development programmes in Ireland.

"In a special way, Your Excellency, we are extremely grateful to Maama, who last year decided to sponsor another six teachers to enable all the 12 winners travel to Ireland. Your Excellency, I am glad to report that the 12 winners jetted back into the country this morning, having successfully completed their programme in Ireland and are here [at the event] with us."

▪️  Ugandan teachers making a difference off to Ireland

Ecweru best of the best

Moses Ecweru, the headteacher of Naweet Primary School in Nabilatuk district, was named the overall winner.

Upon his appointment as headteacher of the school in 2019, Ecweru faced a daunting challenge of low enrolment at just 99 pupils and a daily attendance of merely 34.

Through investing personal resources and innovative strategies, he successfully mobilized the community, raising enrolment to 927 pupils today, with daily attendance at 780.

The other winners, in order from two to 12, are:

▪️ John Wabwire, headteacher of St Mary's Secondary School Kapisa, Butaleja district
▪️ Safia Maua, teacher at Kasimeri Primary School, Moroto district
▪️ Cate Nabaggala Nansubuga, headteacher of St Paul's Kitovu Mixed Primary School, Masaka district
▪️ Ratib Abasi Atiku, headteacher of Aringa Senior Secondary School, Yumbe district
▪️ Baraba Ayinomugisha, headteacher of Nyakabingo Primary School, Kisoro district
▪️ Beatrice Katami Wochaya, Nabumali Boarding Primary School, Mbale district
▪️ Halina Logwe, headteacher of Naitakwe Primary School, Moroto district
▪️ Monica Akello, teacher at Laroo Adraa Primary School, Gulu district
▪️ Sr Maxiensia Babirye, headteacher of St John Bosco Katende Primary School, Mpigi district
▪️ Joyce Kia, headteacher of Ogur Secondary School, Lira district
▪️ Margaret Kajumba, teacher at St Adolf Primary School in Bunyangabu district

 PICTURES: WINNING TEACHERS AWARDED