Describing the challenges in UPE Schools as serious, primary school teachers in Entebbe have urged government to increase funding to the schools to enable them solve the growing number of challenges. Speaking on the sidelines of the Entebbe Teachers day celebrations that were held at Ssiena Beach on Tuesday Stephen Nabende the chairman Uganda Teachers Saccos Union and Lake Victoria School Headmaster disclosed that most UPE Schools aren’t well funded and therefore meet several challenges in catering for expenses such as Water, Electricity and support staff.
“For example we as Lake Victoria School with a population of 701 pupils only receive one million and one hundred thousand shillings (Shs1.1m) to cater for all expenses including water and electricity bills for a full term. The meager funding has only made the school deteriorate in terms of standards” Nabende stated.
Nabende also revealed that because of the meager pay that the teachers are paid, many have deserted the profession and as a result the remaining few are being overworked.
He also disclosed that most teachers in Entebbe are grappling with accommodation.
“A primary school teacher today earns between Shs 350,000-400,000 and yet the cheapest house in Entebbe is around Shs 150,000. This only exacerbates the already dire situation for the teachers” Nabende said.
He also criticized government for it’s continued political interference in Educational sector without involving key technical stakeholders.
“Government has passed policies such as the Universal Primary Education (UPE) minus involving the teachers. This program has only destroyed the good government schools because it was introduced for political reasons” he echoed.
He however applauded government for finally releasing the Shs 25 billion for the National teachers Sacco aimed at giving the teachers an opportunity to borrow and start income generating projects at a minimum interest rate.
Mayor Kayanja Vincent DePaul who was chief guest praised the teachers for their harmonious relationship with municipal council and pledged to expedite the Manyango and Katabi housing estates construction project in his second term in office to ensure that the teachers get affordable accommodation.
Close to 400 primary school teachers in Entebbe attended the celebrations. Assistant Entebbe Municipality town clerk Dan Fred Lutaaya, Entebbe District Education Officer (DEO) Lwanga Henry Ssempijja and Municipal Inspector of schools Ndagga Daniel graced the function.
