Teachers face disciplinary action over absenteeism

Kibuku. More than 50 primary teachers in Kibuku District have been summoned for disciplinary action over allegations of absenteeism.
The Kibuku Resident District Commissioner, Ms Juliet Najjuma Senkoole, said on Saturday during a meeting at the district headquarters that the teachers reportedly absconded from duty in the first week of this term, which opened on February 4.

“The teachers were found absent from duty with no genuine reason. This is a total abuse of office and it calls for action to ensure that government gets value for money and ensures that pupils access quality education,” she said.

Supervision routine
Ms Senkoole explained that during her monitoring and supervision routine, she also found that some of the teachers, who had reported at their stations, were not teaching and those found teaching had no lesson plans.
“Most of the teachers, who had reported, were found enjoying discussions under trees instead of teaching,” she said.
Ms Senkoole said absenteeism of teachers and pupils are the leading factors contributing to continuous poor performance in Primary Leaving Examinations.

Ms Senkoole, however, instructed the district education officer, Mr Christopher Wamika, and the chief administrative officer, to ensure that all teachers found absent from duty without substantial reasons face disciplinary action.
“This will definitely curtail further absenteeism among the teachers in the district,” she said.
The Kibuku District school inspector, Ms Leticia Nabire, said teachers and pupil absenteeism needs collective efforts to fight it in order to improve academic performance.