28 teachers held over holiday teaching
Pupils in class. At least 28 teachers have been arrested in Kasese District over teaching students during holidays. File Photo
What you need to know:
Arrested. Police say 28 teachers were caught red-handed teaching during holidays..
Kasese- A total of 28 teachers have been arrested in Kasese District for allegedly teaching students during holidays.
They were arrested by police yesterday for allegedly defying the government order, which prohibits coaching during holidays. The officer in charge of Bwera Police Station, Mr Vincent Mwesigye, said the teachers are from four private schools in Mpondwe–Lhubiriha Town Council.
The schools are Global Sun Ford, Bwera Junior School, Global Vine and Atlas Model,.
“We managed to net 28 who were found red-handed teaching in the holidays and we are yet to move to others schools in the area that are doing the same,” Mr Mwesigye said.
“We arrested them but they were later released on police bond. We cautioned them not to do it again,” he said. Mr Mwesigye said while at police, teachers claimed that they were not aware that teaching in the holiday was illegal.
The Kasese District education officer, Mr George Mayinja, who led the operation, said the operation will roll over the entire district. “We have started and we shall continue until our people know that it is illegal to teach during the holidays. Our children need to rest and refresh their minds”, he said.
Ms Mary Kabugho, a teacher, protested the operation. “Private schools perform better than government schools which allow pupils and students to rest for a long time,” she said.
BACKGROUND
Many private schools in Kasese open before the official opening of the term and close before the recommended date. Some residents believe that holiday teaching contributes a lot to a child’s academic performance, a claim the education department refutes.
