Education Ministry Gives Guidelines On Teacher Degree Requirement

Uganda, September 30, 2023 - In a significant development, Janet Kataha Museveni, Uganda's First Lady, and Minister of Education and Sports, has issued fresh directives concerning the timeline for educators to obtain a minimum bachelor's degree qualification. This announcement represents a crucial moment in Uganda's education sector and is a response to the evolving challenges faced by educators.

The Emergence of Uganda's Teacher Policy in 2019

In 2019, the Ugandan government introduced a transformative teacher policy aimed at revolutionizing the nation's education system. A central component of this policy was the phasing out of lower qualifications for teachers. According to this new directive, teachers at all educational levels, from those instructing nursery to primary students, were required to hold a Bachelor's degree.

However, the full implementation of this groundbreaking policy did not occur immediately. Educators were granted a ten-year grace period to upgrade their qualifications to meet the newly established minimum standard. Failure to do so would result in their exit from the teaching profession.

By simple calculation, this implied that by the year 2030, every teacher in Uganda could potentially be required to possess a degree. This represented a bold step toward elevating the nation's educational standards. Nevertheless, the journey toward achieving this goal has encountered unforeseen challenges.

Challenges on the Path to Educational Transformation

The year 2020 brought the global COVID-19 pandemic, which not only had devastating health consequences but also disrupted numerous sectors, including education. This unforeseen crisis was one of the many obstacles that hindered the smooth execution of the teacher policy.

Moreover, delays in passing the necessary legislation and establishing crucial institutions like the Teacher Council and the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education played a substantial role in impeding the policy's implementation. These complexities created uncertainty among educators and raised doubts about the feasibility of meeting the set deadlines.

First Lady Museveni's Announcement

In response to these formidable challenges, First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni has proposed a significant adjustment to the policy. She has announced that the countdown of the ten-year grace period for teachers to acquire degrees will only commence once the relevant legislation is officially enacted.

This announcement was made during the release of examination results for the final cohort of Grade III Teachers from 55 primary teacher colleges at State House. The Minister also expressed her intention to present the teacher bill to the cabinet shortly. Importantly, she emphasized that teachers who aspire to upgrade should not delay until the legislation is passed but should initiate the process immediately.

Alleviating Financial Concerns and Teacher Apprehension

The decision to phase out Grade III qualifications for primary teachers and Grade V qualifications for secondary teachers initially instilled anxiety among educators. A primary concern was how the government would alleviate the financial burden of upgrading, particularly for the more than 250,000 Grade III teachers, who constitute nearly half of the teaching workforce.

Due to limited resources, only a fraction of these teachers could attain diplomas in education, while a few pursued Early Childhood Development diplomas at Kyambogo University.

In response to these concerns, Minister Museveni clarified that students who wish to retake their exams should be permitted to enroll without any conditions in colleges that were not phased out. This decision provides relief to learners who were anxious about the fate of their education.

Examining Challenges at Kyambogo University

Simultaneously, during the same event, Kyambogo University presented the results of 5,576 student teachers, the most recent cohort recruited into Primary Teachers' Colleges (PTCs) after completing their O'Level education. However, when the examination results were disclosed, it became apparent that this cohort performed poorly compared to the previous five cohorts.

From 2017 to 2020, Kyambogo University consistently observed an increase in the overall pass rate of PTC students. Nevertheless, an unexpected decline occurred in 2021. According to the statement of results, 37,686 candidates passed the examinations, constituting 67.9 percent of the total. In contrast, 1,586 student teachers (28.4 percent) failed and would need to retake the exams, while 204 candidates received ungraded scores. Among those who passed, only 130 achieved distinctions, with 3,616 obtaining credits, and 40 received a mere pass.

Analyzing the Challenges: Insights from the Academic Registrar

Annie Begumisa, the Academic Registrar of Kyambogo University, attributed the high failure rate to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, he noted that students encountered significant challenges, particularly in the subjects of Mathematics Education and Kiswahili.

From Minister Museveni's perspective, the performance was considered suboptimal, especially considering that almost all subjects achieved an overall pass rate of over 97 percent, with the notable exceptions of Mathematics Education and Kiswahili. She attributed this variation to the reforms implemented in the entry requirements for teacher training.

Minister Museveni emphasized that these reforms are part of a broader effort to enhance the quality of teachers in Uganda. As more reforms are implemented, she expressed her belief that the country is on track to produce better educators.

Government PTCs and Their Transition

With 22 government Primary Teachers Colleges (PTCs) already phased out as part of the official transition away from Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications, concerns arose regarding the fate of students from these colleges who needed to retake their examinations.

The Minister provided guidance, stating that students who wish to retake their exams should be allowed to enroll without any conditions in the colleges that were not phased out. Fortunately, the core PTCs are evenly distributed across the country.

Minister Museveni further directed that Kyambogo University should continue to fulfill its responsibilities related to teacher education and training, inherited from the Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo. This continuity is essential until the Teacher Council and the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education become fully operational, ensuring a smooth transition and preventing disruptions to the ongoing reforms.

Repurposing Phased-Out Colleges: A Strategic Move

In the government's teacher policy, a total of 22 Primary Teachers Colleges (PTCs) were phased out as part of the official transition away from Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications. Since 2019, the Ministry has engaged in discussions with the governing bodies of these phased-out institutions.

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