Mbarara headteachers face fire over UPE funds

By Ebenezer T. Bifubyeka in Mbarara ABOUT 147 headteachers that were recommended for transfer to various primary schools in Mbarara district, will not be given appointment letters by district authorities until they produce accountability of UPE funds. Mr. Dan Tamwesigyire, Mbarara District Education Officer, told the press that, "all headteachers that were given transfer, are required to produce accountability of terminal expenditure of their respective schools before they get their appointment letters." He said whoever is found with a 'transparent accountability' will be given their appointment letter without any hardships. 173 headteachers were recommended for transfer and were supposed to be in the new schools by the beginning of this term. About 600 teachers have reportedly been recruited in various primary schools in the district. Tamwesigyire said: "plans are under way to retrench all teachers that failed to produce at least 'one' student in 'first grade' last year," he said Mr. Ngoma Ngime, Mbarara RDC, gave all teachers a year to prove their ability to improve academic standards. He warned that lack of improvement would lead to retrenchment even of those who are well behaved. He said the commission has started implementing President Museveni's effort of establishing 40,000 jobs for teachers throughout the country. Ends.