Minister blames teachers for students' poor performance of sciences in schools

Muyingo (left) handing over a copy of the SESEMAT programme to the chairperson of SESEMAT for Teso region and headteacher of Teso College, Silvester Ocaatum, at Kololo Secondary School recently. Second left is the national administrator of SESEMAT, Gerald Muguluma. Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu

Science teachers are to blame for the continued failure of science subjects, the State Minister for Higher Education, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, has said.

Muyingo said it is unfortunate that despite Government's heavy investment in promoting the teaching and learning of science and mathematics, students continue to fail.

"You teachers are to blame for these failures in schools. You cannot blame the Government or headteachers anymore. The Government has invested a lot in science teachers and has put in place all the necessary facilities and it is up to you to do your work," he noted.

Muyingo made the remarks while launching the first science teaching reference booklets at the Secondary Science and Mathematics Teacher's (SESEMAT) national programme office at Kololo Secondary School in Kampala.

The event was attended by ministry officials, SESEMAT trainers, development partners and science teachers from various schools countrywide.

The Government with support from Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) introduced the SESEMAT programme 12 years ago, to improve the teaching approaches of science and mathematics in schools to improve performance and attract more students to study the subjects. However, Muyingo says the performance is still wanting.

"We have realised that teachers do not use the new methods they are taught during SESEMAT workshops. They go back and use the same old approaches, leading to the continued failure we see up to now. You must implement what you have been taught if we are to change the trend," he said.

Muyingo cited subjects such as physics, biology, mathematics and chemistry, saying they were poorly performed in the recent mock exams.

He said there is need to popularise the teaching and learning of sciences if the country is to develop.

"The key is with the science teachers. But when students fail, we blame headteachers and the Government who do not teach the subjects. Can you imagine some science teachers have never had a lesson plan," he added.

Muyingo, who thanked the Japanese Government for the support throughout the years asked all trained teachers under SESEMAT programme to implement what they learn for the students to understand better.

"These reference books should help you plan your lessons. You must all plan your work. The teaching of sciences should be inviting and friendly. Let your performance be reflected in students' performance," he said.

The new SESEMAT booklets were developed jointly by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB) and experts from JICA. The printing of the booklets cost sh70m and was funded by JICA.

The technical administrator of the SESEMAT programme, Gerald Muguluma, said the reference books are to help teachers to plan their lessons. "Each school in the country is going to get set of books to easily plan for Senior One lessons. We hope to produce other booklets for others classes soon," he added.