TEACHERS IN KABAROLE DECRY THE EDUCATION ACT OF 2008

Head Teachers in Kabarole District have called for a review of the Education Act of 2008 arguing it is very restrictive and imposes a challenge to them in delivering Education service at their primary schools. This was at a public dialogue meeting where RWECO, through IWDP, was presenting findings of monitoring the delivery of service in the education sector in the districts of Kabarole, Kasese and Kyenjojo. The report pointed out a number of lapses in the implementation of the Universal Primary Education policies in the primary schools in the region.

According to this report the key issues in the delivery of primary education are School management systems which are still below the expected standards,The School Managment Committees have not executed their mandate as expected, there is a growing concern on the levels of absenteeism of the pupils and teachers, there is inadequate supervisory mechanisms which are needed to improve school performance, there are high drop out rates especially in hard – to – reach and hard-to-live areas which need to be addressed urgently, poor hygiene and sanitation of both pupils and the facilities and inadequate and poor quality facilities in the schools. These have resulted into poor performance in most schools, the majority of those surveyed having not had any first grade in Primary Leaving Examinations over the last three years.

In response the headteachers concurred with the monitors’ findings but quickly apportioned blame to the inadequate resources and the unrealistic expectations of the govenment and education other stakeholders. They particularly singled out the Education Act of 2008 which they said was unrealistic. They reported that they had written memoranda to the relevant authorities challenging sections of the act which they were not comfortable with but, to their chagrin, had not received any repsonse. The head teachers therefore called upon RWECO to engage with the legislaters from the Rwenzori region to demand for amendment of the 2008 education act. It was resolved that the headteachers, through a meeting convened by the teachers association, should point out areas that need amendment and make proposals. RWECO was asked to facilitate this process.

At the same dialogue meeting it was observed that while government was doing its best, there was still a challenge of political pronouncements that were negatively impacting the spirit of local contribution by parents. Another challenge was that of poor mobilization by some head teachers and school management committees who have failed to raise resources for classroom construction and provision of other facilities. It was resolved that a massive awareness campaign of all education stakeholders be undertaken through the radio and other approriate channels by IWDP and others.