The Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) has firmly rejected a proposal by the Ministry of Education to exclude university lecturers and tertiary institution tutors from the National Teachers Bill.
This decision was articulated during a session with the Parliament’s Education Committee on October 10, 2024.
Filbert Baguma, the Secretary General UNATU, emphasized that the Bill should encompass all individuals involved in teaching, from nursery level through to university. He expressed concerns about the growing number of untrained individuals entering the teaching profession.
“This is an anomaly. If we have this Act as the National Teacher Bill, it must address all teachers in the country since the Bill is meant to professionalize all teachers.”
Baguma raised alarms regarding the lack of specific provisions for the welfare of intern teachers. He pointed out that the current proposal in the National Teachers Bill does not clarify whether the government will provide financial support to teachers during their internships.
“This ambiguity would deter potential talented persons from joining the teaching profession,” he noted.
Baguma advocated for clearer guidelines in the event that there is no financial facilitation for interns, suggesting that they should be deployed in their home areas to alleviate the burden of travel and living expenses during the internship period.
The National Teachers Bill 2024, introduced by the Ministry of Education, aims to standardize and professionalize the teaching profession in Uganda. Key proposals include the establishment of the National Teachers Council, which would ensure that all teachers are qualified and adequately trained. Additionally, the Bill seeks to create a regulatory framework for the profession and to provide various benefits for teachers.