Bitamazire defends double-shift system

Oct 16, 2008

THE double-shift system will not compromise quality of secondary school education, the education minister said yesterday.

By Fortunate Ahimbisibwe

THE double-shift system will not compromise quality of secondary school education, the education minister said yesterday.

Namirembe Bitamazire said with over 350,000 students under Universal Secondary Education (USE), it was inevitable for the Government to implement the policy to decongest the secondary school.

Speaking at the 15th Education Sector Review annual regional assembly at Colline Hotel, Mukono, Bitamazire said 32 secondary schools under USE had started the double shift system. Under the policy, all schools with more than 60 students in a stream will use double shifts. A similar conference is taking place in Mbarara district to cater for the western region.

Bitamazire said: “Double shift has been re-introduced to accommodate the increasing numbers of USE students. As stakeholders, we should discuss ways to improve the existing policies to ensure quality education,” she said.

The two-day workshop seeks to gather views from education stakeholders in preparation for the Education Sector Review conference set for next month. Participants include local government leaders, headteachers, civil society organisations and representatives of education funding agencies. All districts in the central and eastern regions are represented. The theme of the conference is “Striving to deliver quality education and sports in Uganda.

In his Independence Day speech, President Yoweri Museveni said the Government would support the double shifts in schools.

“The education sector review will discuss the challenges and guide the ministry on how to move forward,” Bitamazire said.

About the curriculum, Bitamazire said the ongoing curriculum review seeks to ensure that children acquire better learning skills. The review also emphasises teaching in local languages in Primary One and Two.

The review will also discuss the progress of Universal Post-Primary Education and Training, which is in its second year of implementation.

Bitamazire said the Government had introduced a new teachers’ scheme of service to improve teachers’ performance, which ultimately improves education quality.

Permanent secretary Francis Lubanga, social services committee chairperson Rose Seninde and vice-chairperson Dr. Chris Baryomunsi attended the meeting. Resident district commissioners and LC5 chairpersons also attended.

Bitamazire said the Government had strengthened inspection in schools to ensure high quality education. Over 320 schools have been inspected.

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