Worry as over 100 Kasese teachers tender resignation
Samuel Amanyire
Journalist @New Vision
_____________________ Kasese teachers discussing their way of living in a retreat held in Bwera
Kasese district local government authorities say they are worried about an impending teacher shortage crisis following several primary school teachers tendering their resignation letters before reaching retirement age.
The teachers employed by the Government seeking early retirement cite reasons, including the acquisition of multiple loans from different financial institutions and moneylenders, sicknesses, work pressures, names not matching with some of their particulars, and loss of passion for the profession.
Kasese district principal personnel officer Samson Bihanikire, who was addressing headteachers during their retreat at Vienna Hotel in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha town council, Kasese district on March 22, 2024, said more than 100 teachers submitted early retirement applications of which many have been granted to leave the service by July 30, 2024.
According to Bihanikire, the applicants are not denied retirement because the public service assumes that their decision follows their incapability to deliver more to the learners effectively.
Early warning from teachers
On December 12, 2023, during a teachers retreat engagement organised by Kicunguro Angel Centre in Bwera, senior inspector of schools Selevester Baluku said ATM cards of over 70% of the teachers in Kasese had been confiscated by usurous moneylenders.
He added that some teachers after failing to pay off their loans abscond from duty over fear of being arrested by court bailiffs of mushrooming financial institutions.
Vacancies due to promotions
Despite the exit of some teachers, the district has also declared that more than 99 vacant positions for senior teachers to be recruited after promoting over 100 deputy headteachers to headteachers, 22 headteachers were promoted as inspectors, while15 caretakers have been submitted to the public service ministry for confirmation as deputy headteachers.
Headteachers' chairperson speaks out
Kasese Primary School Head Teachers’ Association chairperson William Muserero highlighted that the increased worrying number of teachers seeking early retirement would affect the education sector of the entire district mainly causing poor performance of learners because of understaffing.
"It's hard for teachers to deliver when they are few in any school," Musenero said.
Kasese DEO speaks out
Kasese district education officer Ernest Bwambale Thabugha urged the teachers to love their jobs and execute their daily duties as faithfully as their profession demands.
Muhindi speaks out
Kasese LC5 chairperson Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi said his office would ensure the education sector is streamlined by motivating teachers so that they don’t lose interest in the service.
He, however, held the headteachers and other education stakeholders accountable for the current alarming status of teachers adding that they have failed to execute their roles, especially supervision.
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