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The Ugandan School Teacher Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by Ssendagire Paul, Uganda Mar 23, 2009
Education , Globalization   Short Stories

  


In many Ugandan schools, it’s a reality that administrators do under look some subjects, henceforth giving them less or no facilitation at all. Subjects like Fine Art, Music, and Agriculture among others are basically the victims of the situation, yet Physics, Biology, Chemistry and other ‘science’ subjects enjoy the limelight.

Under looking some subjects would not have been an issue if there was job security. However, job security remains a dream never come true to many Ugandan teachers, especially those employed by private schools. Many private schools do not provide their staff with appointment letters and things like sickness, demanding for arrears, raising alarm about small pay, and refusing to play ‘love music’ with the headmaster, amongst others, can lead to loss of job in no time. Therefore a teacher can lose his or her job very easily, yet securing employment in some other schools is as difficult as convincing goats to use family planning options.

The lack of job security coupled with a small pay, along with other factors such as tempting dressing amongst students, have forced a number of misbehaved teachers to sexually abuse their flock as a compensation. However, even in some schools where teachers are well paid, some members do participate in this shameful act. Continence and respect for the students must be observed by all teachers and tough punishments issued to those who sexually abuse students.

However, despite the thorny grounds upon which the Ugandan teacher has trodden for a number of years, a few schools in Uganda have seen the urgency of embarking on the path towards a more comfortable life for teachers. A countable number of schools like Lubiri Secondary school, Mengo senior school, among others, has managed to introduce school loans, booster programs, free housing for teachers, computer training for teachers among other programs aimed at uplifting the teacher’s welfare.

In addition, the Ugandan teacher is no small person. He is abundantly blessed with respect from almost the entire general public. It’s this respect that has earned trust to the Ugandan teacher to even enjoy big leaps in other sectors or areas of life. Many have been elected to parliament, and others have served as cabinet ministers in the government of the Republic of Uganda.

In conclusion, to leave the Ugandan teacher wretched is like condemning our nation into continuous suffering. The teacher’s cries must be heard and remedies sought. A motivated teacher leads to motivated students, hence good performance. However, motivating teachers must be complemented with the formulation of a more relevant school syllabus that pays special emphasis to relevant research, ideas that bring about self-sustenance after school and useful individuals who can engineer social development.





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Ssendagire Paul


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Teaching in Uganda
D Michelle Foresman | Aug 2nd, 2010
I am spending the summer in Kabale, Uganda. The southern part of the country. I have been spending many hours with the primary and secondary teachers. The science teacher didn't know about the earths rotation, or about the moon's gravity. The english teachers do not know english,ei; verbs, nouns,etc. The music teacher has never heard of broadway, The Sound of Music, and had know idea what a harmonica was. The history teacher, teachers African history, No world history, that is taught from the bible...???? So little education. You can not give someone what you do not have. All the good works are not good enough. We need communication and access to what the world has to offer. All their works are for not, if things do not change. To further the problem, I have seen teachers smack and pull and push students. They are ordered to perform! It is quite upsetting, to say the least. Most of the children in this community are orhans, and are cared for by the community diocese. They don't have proper diet with makes the matters only worse. They are housed by the hundreds, in small cramped spaces. No power, no running water, and educational material that is very, very old and inadequate. When I try to teach the educators how to access information on the laptop, they are not interested and just want to see American Music, videos, etc...They only want to find people that will bring them to America...It is very sad, and I feel almost hopeless. They are not motivated to improving the plight of their own country, but want out. This attitude must change, leaving is not the answer. Those that are able to leave, never want to come back, and seek despert ways of advoiding the return. I have had school supplies, books, etc., mailed from the USA over 31 days ago, yet they have not arrived. It seems just impossible to help. So much to overcome. I will give the teachers this web site, hoping to spark interest. Thank you, Michelle Foresman

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