Education minister warns teachers against absenteeism

Education and sports minister Janet Museveni has warned teachers against absconding from duty, saying the practice impacts negatively on the learners.

"You motivate the children, you teach them, they pass and we become proud," she said.

"So I call upon you to do your part well so that at the end of the day we don't see coats hanging on chairs instead of a teacher being in class."

Mrs. Museveni's remarks were contained in a message delivered on her behalf by sports state minister Charles Bakkabulundi.

This was at the closure of the 12th delegate's conference of Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) held in Soroti mid-this week.

Government, according to Minister Museveni, is committed to addressing the challenges of teachers such as low wages, promotion and the issue of teachers' names being deleted from the payroll.

She also promised to initiate avenues of how government can be appreciating excelling teachers for their service to the nation.

"The challenges of education are for all of us because we are all looking towards seeing our society being modern, therefore we need to invest in education," said the First Lady.

In the meeting, the Union leaders explained that delayed salaries and lack of promotion were key factors demotivating teachers.

 "We have taught everybody and that is why they are holding those positions, however some of the teachers have taught for over 20 years without being promoted and many have died as classroom teachers," said outgoing UNATU chairperson Margaret Rwabushushaija Namubiru, who is now the Workers MP.

She expressed optimism in the minister's leadership, saying she can help the teachers address the challenges the sector is faced with.

"We love our minister, we respect her, we have a lot of hopes in her and we look forward to getting the good fruits that she will deliver to education," said the Union general secretary James Tweheyo.

The chairman National Organization for Trade Union, Usher Wilson Owere, who attended the conference hailed the First Lady for her support for the teachers during her short tenure in the ministry of education.

"During all our struggles the First Lady has stood with us until we got part of what we wanted though we still expect more from government. Teachers of this country appreciate her support and we pray for better things as she continues being at the helm of the ministry," he said.