5th October is a special day dedicated to teachers for
their contribution to the society. With a motto because we are the nation is it
was interesting teacher enthusiasm walking to Kagote Adventist Hall in a hall that shinning with
orange and black, Kabarole district in
the mood of making the world appreciate
their contribution as well as share their challenges. No wonder the pupils of
Mugusu Primary school in their song they emphasized that teachers matter and
they are a source of knowledge. It was
also not surprising for the Kabarole district to acknowledge the contribution
of teachers from class room to the community level despite the challenges that
they face like high enrollment, lack of classrooms yet they have continued to
work very hard. It’s not surprising that function was among others attended by
Member of Parliament Burashya county Kabarole, the LC5 Chairperson Kabarole,
the inspector of schools, religious leaders, pupils, community member, UNATU
members and Teachers. Though the number
was overwhelmingly of about 600 people
at least every one was served with refreshment and a meal. Thanks to the facilitation by UNATU Kabarole
and CFSU
The celebrations was a platform for
teachers to air out their major challenges like some teachers who were removed
from the pay roll in the process of cleaning the pay rolls as well as non
confirmation of teachers where the district chairperson responded that that 99%
of the teachers removed from the pay roll were put back and promised that by
the end of October all teachers will be on pay roll but can only claim their
arrears. It was also interesting to for the chairperson to share that the
district spent the month of December on mass confirmation of teachers.
Nevertheless Ayibo Bernard, the regional
coordinator Uganda National teachers union emphasized that that despite the
challenges teachers are facing they are still committed to the mission of promoting and protecting the social,
intellectual and profession interests of teachers and deliver quality
education through four core strategic
areas of improving a strong and credible teachers union, improving teacher professionalism,
social economic status and Morale, improving quality of public education and
learners and teachers social economic Development. With the core strategic directions who can
say that teachers do not really matter, this was well explained in their motto”
because we are, the nation is, the nation is, because we are”. One wonders why
do they remain the list paid profession, why pay science teachers more salary
that ARTS teachers yet they go through the same class. Does this mean that the
ARTS teachers do not matter! Then why do
we have them if they do not matter.
I
was shocked that a class teacher was advocating to be paid 540,000 yet the
doctors increased to 2,500,000 yet it it’s the teachers who make the Doctors. The question remains whether the government of Uganda will honor
their request because teachers make a nation because this pay involves daily
transport otherwise they will reach the schools late or tired or both, lunch, accommodation
because the schools have no staff houses and medical fees for the family which
is not provided for in most schools. I am sure if 540,000 will be enough to meet
the daily demand compared to the cost of items these days.
It was on this same function that computer for schools a partner of RWECO
in a project of Improving literacy and proficiency levels in English Language
by enhancing communication skills in primary school pupils in the Rwenzori
Region was able to provide gifts for the best schools in to 13 primary schools that had excelled in annual
writing, drawing, and reading competition
The best schools were named as Haibale Primary school, St. Jude Primary
school, Kigarama primary school, Rwimi primary school, Mugusu and Karamba
Primary school. The teachers were able to showcase to the teachers, community
members, local leaders and parents their writing, drawing, speaking and
listening skills and other competences. Three staff from RWECO participated in the function.
Sheila K
RWECO
RWECO
