Can my daughter go for further studies?
Jan 08, 2008
DEAR Jamesa, I have a daughter who holds a Diploma in Primary Education and I would like her to pursue a degree in Primary Education by distance learning. However, she is a bit reluctant to take it up. She complains that her salary is likely to remain at the level of a grade III teacher even if she
DEAR Jamesa, I have a daughter who holds a Diploma in Primary Education and I would like her to pursue a degree in Primary Education by distance learning. However, she is a bit reluctant to take it up. She complains that her salary is likely to remain at the level of a grade III teacher even if she goes back for additional qualifications. I want her to do Education Evaluation or Education Management. Is there any chance of changing the job after graduation?
Tamale
Dear Tamale,
Your decision to take your daughter back for a degree in Primary Education is commendable. However, from your statement, it is also clear that she is not very comfortable with the teaching profession and would like to change. Your statement also shows that her dissatisfaction has more to do with low salary than the job itself. She should understand that there is more to a career than mere financial gains. Low salary notwithstanding, does she have a passion for the teaching profession? Additional qualification in the same field only change her grade, but the work environment and the nature of work remains the same. A degree in Education will not give her the passion or satisfaction in her job if she lacks it with her present qualification.
Has she considered other degree programmes than Education? Her diploma in Primary Education qualifies her to pursue a degree in other fields. She shouldn’t, therefore, limit herself to Education, especially if she is planning to shift career base.
Before she goes for studies, does she understand the Ministry of Education’s policy regarding further studies? There are conditions that a teacher who plans to upgrade has to meet. Compliance with the regulations will determine whether a teacher’s salary will be aligned with the acquired qualifications or not.
Primary school teachers must be granted study leave, officially through the District Service Commission before they go for studies. The ministry has put this policy in place to ensure that school programmes are not paralysed and the wage bill for civil servants is planned in advance. If your daughter fails to follow the ministry’s regulation, then she is likely to continue earning her usual salary even after graduating.
You haven’t mentioned how old she is or whether she has a family. Whatever the case, the decision to pursue further education requires careful planning. A talk with a career counsellor would open her mind and enable her make a well-informed decision.
Wish you the best.
Compiled by Jamesa Wagwau
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
Tamale
Dear Tamale,
Your decision to take your daughter back for a degree in Primary Education is commendable. However, from your statement, it is also clear that she is not very comfortable with the teaching profession and would like to change. Your statement also shows that her dissatisfaction has more to do with low salary than the job itself. She should understand that there is more to a career than mere financial gains. Low salary notwithstanding, does she have a passion for the teaching profession? Additional qualification in the same field only change her grade, but the work environment and the nature of work remains the same. A degree in Education will not give her the passion or satisfaction in her job if she lacks it with her present qualification.
Has she considered other degree programmes than Education? Her diploma in Primary Education qualifies her to pursue a degree in other fields. She shouldn’t, therefore, limit herself to Education, especially if she is planning to shift career base.
Before she goes for studies, does she understand the Ministry of Education’s policy regarding further studies? There are conditions that a teacher who plans to upgrade has to meet. Compliance with the regulations will determine whether a teacher’s salary will be aligned with the acquired qualifications or not.
Primary school teachers must be granted study leave, officially through the District Service Commission before they go for studies. The ministry has put this policy in place to ensure that school programmes are not paralysed and the wage bill for civil servants is planned in advance. If your daughter fails to follow the ministry’s regulation, then she is likely to continue earning her usual salary even after graduating.
You haven’t mentioned how old she is or whether she has a family. Whatever the case, the decision to pursue further education requires careful planning. A talk with a career counsellor would open her mind and enable her make a well-informed decision.
Wish you the best.
Compiled by Jamesa Wagwau
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug