Upgrading is ok but first seek permission

THE New Vision recently carried letters raising questions to remarks made by Charles Bakkabulindi, the sports state minister, while addressing teachers in Masaka.

Bakkabulindi was quoted to have advised teachers to upgrade to get better pay. The minister was also reported to have blamed teachers for ‘informally’ upgrading, saying enrolling for weekend, evening and holiday programmes without notifying the ministry was wrong.

Teachers may wish to note the following:

The ministry’s policy communicated in a circular of May 28, 2002 to local governments and training institutions clearly outlines procedures and conditions to be followed by teachers proceeding on upgrading courses.
Teachers can get this circular from chief administrative officers, town clerks, district education officers, heads of teachers’ colleges and secondary schools or the personnel section at the ministry headquarters.

For emphasis, the Education Service Commission, on recommendation of the permanent secretary, grants study leave to teachers in post-primary institutions. These must be confirmed in service and must have served a minimum of three years after completing any previous long course.

Study leave is only granted for courses relevant to the curricula at primary, secondary or post-secondary institutions and taking into account strategies by one’s head teacher to handle the work load of the absentee teacher since no new recruitment will be permitted. The aim of the training should be to improve teachers’ skills or their teaching area.

Study leave, when granted, comes with pay. Teachers should not be deleted from the payroll.

A teacher who proceeds for further studies without being granted study leave is assumed to have absconded from duty. Remember, attainment of a higher qualification will not automatically lead to promotion, unless there exists a vacancy within the approved staff establishment at that new level. (Attention is drawn to Government Standing Orders Chapter. 1 Sect. A-B (1)-(2) )

The ministry supports human resource development that is systematic, well-planned, cost-effective and takes into account the country’s requirements.

Aggrey Kibenge
spokesperson of the Ministry of Education