Top teachers awarded land titles, trip to Israel

Sep 07, 2019

Fifty teachers were recognized and each given a cash prize of sh1million and a certificate.

EDUCATION TEACHERS

KAMPALA - Three Primary School teachers set to fly late this month to Israel for a study tour after being recognized as the best teachers by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The trip which is a prize from the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni was announced during the closing ceremony of the 2nd National Primary Teachers Conference held at St Lawrence London College Maya on Saturday.

The three teachers include the overall winner Peter Ssenono from Kyotera district, first runners up Margaret Asaba from Kyegegwa district and second runner-up Isaac Omony from Amuru district.

Apart from the trip, the three were awarded each a land title, cash prize of sh1million a laptop and a certificate of recognition. The land is located in Bujuko, along Mityana road in Wakiso district. 

Fifty other teachers were also recognized and each given a cash prize of sh1million and a certificate.

 resident useveni hands over sh50 million dummy cheque to the best 50 teachers at the close of the threeday national primary school teachers conference in aya hoto by aria amala President Museveni hands over sh50 million dummy cheque to the best 50 teachers at the close of the three-day national primary school teachers conference in Maya. Photo by Maria Wamala

In her speech, Mrs. Museveni revealed that the government is committed to providing quality education to all Ugandans.

"I want to assure you that Government is aware that you constitute our nation's most precious human resource, and we look up to you to build the tomorrow we need as a nation," she said.

She challenged teachers to show individual responsibility and accountability of the limited resources they are given as they demand more.

The minister also condemned the spirit of individualism which has eroded the society. 

"Children have been neglected and that explains the gap that we see in the behavior of our youth. As teachers we must pull up our socks and realize the enormous amount of responsibility we have to bring back the society to realize the importance of nurturing our young generation," Mrs. Museveni said.

On sanitary pads 

Janet Museveni said that parents have neglected their role and left it to government, but urged stakeholders to continue on carrying out sensitization. 

"The saying that it takes a village to bring up a child was true in my time, and it is known globally, but its origin is Africa. Yet it is now foreign to us," she said

She added that girls are struggling in schools with varying challenges including menstrual hygiene as if it is a new phenomenon. 

"We all know that from the beginning of humanity, women have always experienced this situation as a natural development of a woman and our mothers taught us what to do. We did not drop out of school because of menstruation," she said

She, however, revealed that the government is seeking a sustainable solution to support girls in school with sanitary pads.


"Government pledged to support the girls in school with sanitary pads, this has not yet been fulfilled because we are seeking for a sustainable solution, which does not support just a few schools or a one-off but a strategy that provides a national permanent solution," Janet Museveni said.

She commended teachers for devoting time and energy to provide hope in children for the future of this nation. 

President Yoweri Museveni, who also attended the event, awarded the best 50 teachers with sh50million cash prize.

 eachers applauding resident useveni at 2nd ational rimary eachers onference which attracted over 4000 teachers hoto by aria amala Teachers applauding President Museveni at 2nd National Primary Teachers Conference which attracted over 4,000 teachers. Photo by Maria Wamala
 

 

He commended the teachers for a great job of educating the nation and advised them to treat the opportunity as very important.

"Teaching is a mission and a blessing from God. Because God gives you the opportunity to bring up children whom you did not give birth to. It is a very big opportunity but also a trap. If you don't do what you are supposed to do and think you are cheating the children, God is watching you and will reward you equally," Museveni said.

He noted that the government is willing to increase the teachers' pay and other public servants but because of other demands, it delays.

"Let us expand the education sector and capture more children. This will delay the increment of salaries for public servants but this will enable us not to leave anyone behind," Museveni said.

He noted that other demands like the construction of roads, providing security, funding the army, the police also need to be considered.

"We don't only have a challenge of salaries but others which are equally important and will enable us to get the money you want," Museveni said.

He promised to pen down a letter to each teacher explaining steps being taken on remunerations.

 

The 2nd National Primary Teachers Conference which ran under the theme; "Quality Teacher Matter" attracted over 4,000 teachers from 160 districts.

It was aimed at inspiring, motivating teachers and recognizing the best.

 

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