National Teachers’ Colleges reopen after three years
Unyama NTC. It was one of the colleges that were closed in 2021 after government phased out Grade III and diploma-level qualifications as the minimum requirement for all teachers. PHOTO/FILE/URN
What you need to know:
- The colleges will now be called campuses of the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education that is tasked with training of all teachers.
The former National Teachers Colleges (NTCs) that used to train secondary school teachers at diploma level have reopened after three years. They were closed following the government’s temporary halt after approving the teacher policy that banned diploma-level teacher training.
The colleges, including NTC Unyama, Kaliro, Mubende, Kabale, and Muni, had ceased admitting students in 2021 in line with the implementation of the National Teacher Policy, which sought to phase out Grade III and diploma-level qualifications in favour of a bachelor’s degree as the minimum requirement for all teachers. The policy, approved by the Cabinet in 2019, aimed to professionalise the teaching profession and improve the quality of education across the country.
A key component of the policy was the creation of the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education (UNITE), which was designated to take over all teacher training in Uganda and offer only bachelor’s degrees.
UNITE was established at the former Shimoni teacher training institute in Namugongo, and it was expected to absorb both pre-service and in-service training across all levels. However, delays in operationalising the institute, including issues related to infrastructure, staffing, and legal framework, had stalled its roll-out. Following the establishment of UNITE, all the above NTCs will be called UNITE Campuses, with their headquarters at Shimoni, which becomes the sixth campus, with the mandate of offering postgraduate programmes.
This means that NTC Uyamu now becomes UNITE Uyamu, among others, subsequently. In an interview, the UNITE Institute Secretary, Dr Levi Kabagambe, said the opening of UNITE Institutes signals the start of admissions into undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programmes, in line with the mandate to provide comprehensive teacher education.
He noted that this development is historic as it offers primary school teachers a clear and structured pathway to upgrade from certificates to diplomas and degrees. “For the first time, teachers have a dedicated institution for career growth. We are focused on upgrading those already in the profession from certificate to degree level,” Mr Kabagambe said.
He clarified that while in-service teachers are being admitted into diploma and degree upgrading programmes, those who completed Senior Six recently are only admitted to degree programmes. “We are not enrolling fresh students into diploma programmes. The diploma is strictly for upgrading,” he added.
He also noted that, unlike previous years, the current intake started earlier than usual, well ahead of the typical August calendar, because of the urgency and historic nature of this transition. Whereas the admitted teachers will start their training this month, going forward, UNITE will align its admissions with the national academic calendar.
UNITE’s Shimoni Campus, formerly Shimoni Teachers College, will serve as the head office and examination centre. Some institutions across the country have since admitted a number of students who are slated to start lectures this month, with the second cohort expected to kick off in August.
In Gulu, Mr Pario Lot Ewaku, the dean of UNITE, Unyama Campus, said the campus has so far received 318 students for the various programmes. “Categorically, Diploma in Education Pre-Primary, 14. Diploma in Education Primary, 129. Bachelor’s in Education Primary, 130. Bachelor's in Education Primary, Direct Entry, 7. Bachelor’s in Education Pre-Primary, 7. Bachelor’s in Education Secondary Science, Direct Entry, 2. And Bachelor’s in Education Science, Secondary, 29.” “Indeed, this is the first cohort. Prospectively, I am expecting a total of about 523 for Cohort 1 for this May intake. And as I speak now, the advert for the second cohort is running on,” Mr Pario stated.
Teacher training
All teachers from pre-primary to secondary will be required to possess a degree or a post graduate-degree to teach in any school. This means that all teachers have up to six years to upgrade or cease being teachers, as the country will not tolerate those without degrees after 2031.
Among the approved new programmes for fresh students from Senior Six include Bachelor’s of Education in Pre-primary, Primary Arts, Primary Early Childhood Education, Primary, Secondary Arts, and Secondary Sciences. For those upgrading from certificate to diploma, the Diploma in Pre-primary and Primary Education is offered.The tuition for learners ranges from Shs1.8m to Shs2.5m based on the programme offered.
