The Ugandan government has introduced the National Teachers’ Bill, 2024, aimed at addressing key issues in the teaching profession, including teacher discipline, absenteeism, and professional standards. The bill, tabled by the Minister of State for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo, seeks to establish the National Teachers’ Council, a regulatory body that will oversee the registration, licensing, and disciplinary procedures for teachers across the country.
Speaking during the plenary session on Tuesday, 6th August 2024, Minister Muyingo highlighted the need for this bill, citing persistent challenges such as teacher absenteeism, ineffective teaching practices, and low qualifications within the profession. These issues, he noted, have been exacerbated by gaps in the current Education (Pre-Primary, Primary, and Post-Primary) Act of 2008.
The proposed National Teachers’ Council will also be responsible for managing teacher internship programs and ensuring continuous professional development for educators. By consolidating the registration and licensing processes, the bill aims to establish a more structured and accountable teaching profession in Uganda.
Additionally, the bill is part of the government’s broader effort to phase out the position of Directors in all ministries, a move that has implications for the legal provisions related to the teaching profession.
The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, has referred the bill to the Committee on Education and Sports for further scrutiny. He urged the committee to thoroughly review the bill and consult widely to ensure it effectively addresses the challenges facing the education sector.
In a related development, the government requested additional time to present 15 other bills related to the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX). The delay, according to the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, is to allow for further consultations on these bills. RAPEX, adopted by Cabinet in February 2021, aims to reduce wasteful public expenditure and save over one trillion Ugandan shillings.
The introduction of the National Teachers’ Bill marks a significant step towards enhancing the quality and accountability of Uganda’s education system.