Kerry Howard Mwesigwa.
Kampala, October 2, 2023 | Teachers in Uganda are set to benefit from a landmark bill that aims to streamline their management, discipline, motivation, and career progression. The National Teacher Bill, which was approved by the cabinet on Monday, November 1, 2023, will also establish a regulatory body for teachers at all levels of education.
The bill was presented by the Ministry of Education and Sports, which has been working on it since 2010, following a comprehensive study on teacher-related issues in Uganda. The study revealed gaps and challenges in teacher education, deployment, retention, welfare, and performance.
According to Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister for Information Communication Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, who confirmed the approval of the bill, the cabinet only made a few minor comments that will be addressed by the Ministry of Education and the Parliamentary Council before the bill is tabled before parliament.
He said that if passed Into law, the bill will usher in a new era of professionalism among teachers at all levels, from nursery schools to universities. He added that while other professions such as medicine, engineering, and law have regulatory councils overseeing their professional conduct, the teaching profession, which boasts the largest number of professionals, lacks a similar governing body. This is particularly noteworthy given the significance of the teaching profession, spanning from early education to universities.
The bill will create the National Teacher Council, an authoritative body tasked with overseeing and regulating teacher standards and ethics. The council will also guide teacher education, foster continuous professional development, and facilitate career progression for teachers across the country.
The council will also assume the responsibility of registering and licensing teachers while maintaining a comprehensive registry of all teachers within both private and public education institutions. No individual will be permitted to engage in teaching at any educational level without obtaining clearance from this regulatory authority.
The bill is expected to Improve the quality of education in Uganda by ensuring that only qualified and competent teachers are deployed in schools and colleges. It will also enhance teacher accountability and performance by enforcing a code of conduct and disciplinary measures for errant teachers.
The bill is also aligned with the National Teacher Policy, which was passed by the government in 2019, initiating a series of changes aimed at elevating the teaching profession. One notable change is the revision of minimum qualifications for teachers, now mandating a bachelor’s degree for educators at all levels, including those in nursery schools.
Furthermore, this policy catalyzed the phasing out of several Primary Teacher Colleges (PTCs) and paved the way for the establishment of National Teachers Colleges (NTCs), which will offer degree programs for teachers.
The bill Is also in line with the government’s vision of transforming Uganda into a middle-income country by 2040, which requires a skilled and competent human resource base. The government recognizes that teachers are key agents of change and development, and therefore, they deserve to be empowered and motivated.
However, some challenges remain in the implementation of the bill, such as the availability of resources, infrastructure, and personnel to support the activities of the National Teacher Council. There is also a need for sensitization and awareness among teachers and the public about the benefits and implications of the bill.
The bill is expected to be tabled before parliament soon for debate and enactment. If passed into law, it will mark a historic milestone in the history of the teaching profession in Uganda. It will also set a precedent for other African countries that are grappling with similar issues in their education systems.
