
By : Shibah Nakakande .
The pre-primary, primary and post primary Act, 2008 had gaps identified by the ministry of education and sports which are addressed keenly in the tabled National Teachers’ Bill 2024.
Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. John Chrysestom Muyingo tabled the Bill to parliament on 06 August, 2024. It seeks to address the low qualifications of teachers, lack of standard teachers, absenteeism and ineffective teaching.
The Bill looks forward to establish a body, “ National Teacher’s Council ” in charge of regulating the teaching profession by providing them with internship placements, consolidating the registration and licensing processes and disciplinary procedures for teachers.
Onesmus Balungi the Director of studies at Rich Dad Junior School holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education said that the current practicing teacher’s needs should be catered for first before their qualifications are questioned.
“Government should first consider the low numeration of teachers especially those in government schools who not only teach because it is their profession but also due to passion regardless of the short comings.” Balungi emphasized
According to Balungi ,the four year jail sentence for anyone teaching without a degree lisence or two million shillings , is intended to scare away people from pursing this profession since not so many can afford the high rates charged at universities to acquire a degree . Especially for teachers handling children for Early Childhood Education (ECE) /Nursery teaching.
“Clause 28(1) (a) proposes limiting teaching practice in educational institutions to degree holders,. “A person is eligible to be registered as a teacher if he or she possesses a degree in education and has undertaken an internship programme in accordance with the prescribed teacher internship programme.”
“No training institution shall employ a person to teach a degree in education unless the person possesses relevant qualifications.” Violations could result in fines of up to 14 million for institutions and 5 million or two years imprisonment for individuals, according to the Bill.
Wide consultations from stake holders in the education sector are required before the Bill is reported back in 45 days from the day it was tabled as referred by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa .