Government needs 4,000 more science teachers
Speaking at the release of last year’s Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, Education minister Jessica Alupo said there is need to recruit more teachers but admitted that there was no money to pay them. Photo by Dominic Bukenya
What you need to know:
No money. However, government does not have the money to pay them.
Kampala. The Ministry of Education yesterday said they need to recruit 4,000 more science teachers, but added that there is no wage bill to cater for them.
Speaking at the release of last year’s Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results, Education minister Jessica Alupo said there is need to recruit more teachers but admitted that there was no money to pay them.
“We need to recruit more 4,000 Science teachers. Government is looking for the money to recruit them,” Ms Alupo said.
Her remarks came after Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) reported that there was a shortage of teachers, which affected the administration of practical exams. According to Mr Mathew Bukenya, the out-going Uneb executive secretary, many teachers moved to more than two centre numbers to help prepare for the practical papers on the same day. As a result, the examination was started late in most schools.
Mr Bukenya also noted that there was evidence that candidates received assistance mainly in science practical papers, theory and mathematics. He blamed it on poor teaching of the subjects and lack of enough teachers.
“There is evidence that the advance confidential information sent by Uneb to schools to aid the preparation of practical examination is deliberately disclosed to candidates, especially in Biology. Teachers, upon receiving the information, went ahead to speculate on the kind of questions expected. Candidates ended up giving wrong and irrelevant answers based on the teachers’ speculation,” Mr Bukenya said.
“Performance in Sciences continues to be poor for the majority of candidates. About 45 per cent get the minimum competency. There is lack of teaching and problems in handling of apparatus and recording observations,” Mr Bukenya added.
Mr Paddy Mworozi, the head teacher of Bukanga SS in Isingiro District, said his school is depending on part-time Science teachers.
In her statement, Prof Mary Okwakol, Uneb chairperson, said the performance in Science subjects was worrying.
“There appears to be little teaching as a result of lack of teachers; with the few available being shared between several schools. Rural schools appear to be the most affected,” Prof Okwakol said.
