Best performing teachers scoop awards in Adjumani

ADJUMANI - The government and various stakeholders have always come up with interventions in a bid to improve the quality of primary education in the country, more so in remote areas.

However, few of these center around uplifting the teachers' morale and yet it is a key determinant.

From L to R Agnes Muraa Eiyo, Richard Chandiga Molumase, Betty Lendi, and John Opi Abbiri were awarded as the best teachers in Adjumani district.

 
It's against this background that two teachers and two headteachers who emerged the best performing in the entire district of Adjumani were awarded at a function held at the district headquarters last Friday. 

They were; Richard Chandiga Molumase, headteacher Yoro P/S, Betty Lendi, headteacher Okangali P/S, John Opi Abbiri, teacher Fuda P/S and Agnes Muraa Eiyo, teacher Yoro P/S.  

Apart from the medals, the teachers got solar lights, flasks, and certificates. The award ceremony coincided with the opening of the council hall.

This was courtesy of the district in conjunction with Finn Church Aid (FCA) through the Suitable Comprehensive Response to Education project (SCORE) that is funded by UNICEF. Their main objective is to improve the quality of education in the worst-performing districts. It specializes in three priority areas; right to quality education, right to livelihood and peace.

Saudah Sydney Natambi, the project support officer said that they followed the teacher's incentive framework developed by the ministry of education and sports which aims at motivating teachers. 

"We banked on the district to carry out this initiative and pray that they are able to implement it on their own come next year," she said  

They started by engaging the district leaders who reached out to the headteachers in the worst-performing districts in the country. In these, they also identified the worst-performing schools.

Opi Abbiri, a teacher at Fuda primary school was one of the four teachers awarded.

The districts include; Nebbi, Zombo, Kibaale, Koboko, Yumbe, Moyo, and Adjumani. However, they concentrated on Obongi, Yumbe, Koboko, and Adjumani for 2019 and 2020.

"We are working in 20 schools per district. These awards rolled out in Adjumani as a pilot," she highlighted. Adjumani was chosen because it has been recorded as the first district to implement a teacher's quality enhancement program.   

Meanwhile, the headteachers submitted the names of the best three teachers to the District Education Officer (DEO).

On the parameters used to select the teachers, Robert Dima, Adjumani DEO explains that they considered five areas of lesson planning, a record of work and marks assessment plus how the teachers impact the learners. 

For example, those teachers are always concerned about what is happening to their pupils in terms of how they are improving in their studies and safety at school.

"We gave this responsibility to the headteachers to mobilize their teachers to identify the best among themselves," he reports.       

The best three faced a panel that consisted of district leaders who selected the best two teachers. 

"I am happy with what is happening in my district especially when it comes to recognizing the efforts of our teachers," Dima cherishes.

He is quick to add that today, one must have different ways of attracting teachers to effectively do their work; the teachers' incentive is one of the ways.

Additionally, John Ambayo Anyanyo, vice chairman Adjumani district local government thanked FCA and UNICEF for introducing and funding the initiative. 

"We have about 20 worst-performing schools and our partners have taken the incentive to see that these schools improve and because of their efforts, as a council, it is necessary for us to recognise the headteachers and teacher as well," he explains. 

Dima suggested the initiative be turned into a policy by the district as it can do a lot to stimulate the quality of education.

"20 schools were selected but we plan to engage all the 60 schools in the district," he revealed. 

Dot. Com teacher for quality education 

On the other hand, Derek Nkata, consultant teacher for the Teacher Incentive Framework (TIF) advocates for availing all teachers with smartphones which he says is a good incentive in terms of enhancing the quality of teachers.

"Today, teachers get information via smartphones. We cannot afford to leave our teachers behind," he emphasizes. 

He also advises teachers to acquire computer skills as they will help them to be Dot Com teachers. 

"Many of the things that are coming up will need a teacher to be computer literate. For example, you now have to register online or pay someone to do it for you," he exemplifies adding that, "You can start with a smartphone and later to a computer to help enhance your skills."