Katakwi: In a bid to motivate teachers and students ahead of the forthcoming National Examinations, Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo has engaged with teachers in Katakwi to improve academic standards in the district.
The Vice President also visited a secondary school, where she challenged students with questions during a Chemistry lesson and flagged off the Skills Training program at Epel Memorial Training Institute.
Alupo was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Kadrace Turyagyenda.
A total of 1,673 teachers from government-aided primary schools, community primary schools, Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers, government-aided secondary schools, private secondary schools, community secondary schools, Epel Memorial Technical Institute, Katakwi Technical, and private technical schools attended the meeting.
Among the issues raised were salary discrepancies, heavy workloads, the teachers’ policy, the requirement for ECD teachers to have a university degree, accommodation for teachers, and recognition for the best-performing teachers.
Other issues included hardship allowances, school-based recruitment, free access to fiber cable connectivity, schemes of service, dormitories for newly built seed schools, and the inclusion of Epel Memorial on the government payroll.
In her remarks, Vice President Alupo recognized the crucial role teachers play in shaping future generations and called on them to enhance student outcomes, foster inclusive learning environments, and develop diverse teaching methods.
“As educators, you are the backbone of our education system. Your dedication and expertise have a profound impact on your learners’ lives. Today, I acknowledge your tireless efforts and express my deepest gratitude,” Alupo said.
She urged teachers to remain focused despite the challenges outlined by their Chairperson, Pius Oleer, noting that the government is addressing these issues in a phased manner.
“You are not just teachers, but mentors, guides, and role models. You inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and nurture critical thinking. Your influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the character and values of our future leaders,” she added.
Alupo also acknowledged the difficulties teachers face, from managing diverse learning needs to adapting to new technologies. She praised their resilience and adaptability, which she described as remarkable.
The Vice President expressed her appreciation for the teachers’ commitment to student-centered learning and professional development, pledging the government’s support for ongoing training as much as possible.
She emphasized the importance of collaboration and communication, urging teachers to continue working together. “Your well-being matters, and I promise on behalf of the government that we will continue prioritizing teacher self-care,” she said.
Alupo encouraged the teachers to keep “lighting the candle” as they spread knowledge to millions of learners. “I call upon you to continue empowering our learners because it is a God-given opportunity,” she said.
She also commended the new Permanent Secretary, Kadrace Turyagyenda, for her determination and steadiness in steering the education ministry and congratulated her on her recent appointment.
Usuk County MP Bosco Okiror thanked the Vice President for the opportunity to engage with teachers on how to further improve academic performance in the district.
He informed the Permanent Secretary that some of the issues raised in the teachers’ memorandum are part of the reason why they cannot compete on an equal footing as a district.
“The desire to achieve is in the hearts of all these teachers. What they need is to be enabled to achieve and put Katakwi on the map,” Okiror said.
He appealed to the government to address the shortage of infrastructure in primary schools, particularly classrooms and teachers’ housing, and to recruit new teachers to replace those who have passed away or retired.
Okiror urged the new Permanent Secretary to address the issue of teachers accessing the government payroll but not delivering services, simply absconding from duty.
The Permanent Secretary emphasized that teaching is a noble profession and teachers are precious to God. “The outcome of your work is human beings. My heart is with teaching. Although I am now in the Permanent Secretary’s office, I remain a teacher,” she said.
Turyagyenda reassured the teachers that their focus should be on the learners, as they are the reason schools and teachers exist. She also asked them not to worry about the upcoming teacher policy, as it is still under discussion and has not yet been approved by Parliament.
She urged teachers to help parents understand that it is their God-given duty to feed their children both at school and at home, to ensure proper physical and mental development.
Turyagyenda encouraged teachers to follow the teachers’ code of conduct, emphasizing that a teacher’s most important duty is to develop the learner in body, mind, soul, character, and personality. “That’s what God expects of us because we are the link between the child and the parent,” she said.
She thanked the teachers, district leadership, and the Vice President for the academic improvements recorded in recent years.
According to statistics from the district education department, out of 2,999 children who sat for the Primary Leaving Examinations, 72% passed in divisions 1-3.
Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Maj. Godfrey Katamba praised the Vice President for her efforts to improve social services for Ugandans. He informed the teachers that a school feeding policy review is ongoing and urged the government to endorse it to facilitate feeding school-going children, which would enhance academic performance.
Katamba congratulated the teachers for their sacrifices, likening them to candles that consume themselves while giving light to others.
He also encouraged teachers to educate parents on their role in the moral upbringing and development of their children, adding that this responsibility should not be left to teachers alone.
Geoffrey Omolo, the Katakwi District Chairman, thanked the Vice President on behalf of the district for her efforts in engaging with teachers to improve education standards.
“We are sincerely grateful for your commitment to hearing directly from those on the frontlines of the sector. Your willingness to engage personally with teachers reflects a deeper appreciation for their work and the challenges they face,” Omolo noted.
He emphasized that the Vice President’s gesture fosters trust and strengthens the connection between teachers and leaders, especially when someone of her status takes the time to listen.
Omolo concluded that this engagement provides teachers with a valuable opportunity to interact with key stakeholders, facilitating mutual understanding and a collaborative approach between teachers and the government.