Teachers comforted ahead of National Teachers Policy rollout

The Ministry of Education and Sports has called upon teachers to positively embrace change that will come with the implementation of the National Teacher’s Policy.

The ministry promised to minimize and help affected teachers to overcome challenges that may arise as a result of the policy implementation.

As said by the government, the aim of the National Teacher Policy (NTP) is to professionalize the teaching profession to levels comparable with other professions like medicine, engineering, legal, and accounting among others.

It’s on this note that John Chrysostom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education, affirmed the government’s commitment to providing resources to teachers in need of upgrading.

Muyingo was launching the beginning of official celebrations for National Teachers’ Day.

“The Ministry has also committed resources which previously have been used to train primary school teachers at certificate level and secondary school teachers at Diploma level to support them in upgrading holders of the Grade III and ECD Teachers’ Certificate to Diploma level,” he said.

Muyingo noted that whereas the implementation of the National Teacher Policy will pose some challenges, the Ministry shall do its best to ensure that the challenges are minimized and overcome.

He cited an example where there has been fear about how teachers will be able to attain the minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s degree. He clarified that the Policy considered this and a period of ten years was given for teachers to upgrade.

As Uganda prepares to recognize teachers for their relentless efforts, Muyingo said this is an opportunity to celebrate them, recognise their contribution and put a spotlight on the incredible responsibility that they bear in ensuring that all children and youth everywhere can enjoy the right to education.

World Teachers Day was instituted by UNESCO, ILO and other partner organizations on 5th October 1994 to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

In Uganda, the day will be celebrated under the theme, “The Transformation of Education begins with Teachers”.

The official celebrations will take place on Wednesday 30th November 2022, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will be the chief guest.