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Baguma argued that having both school practice and internships was redundant and overwhelming for teacher trainees (Photo by Parliament Press)
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PARLIAMENT - The Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) has firmly rejected the Ministry of Education's proposal to require teacher trainees to complete both a one-year school practice and a one-year internship simultaneously, calling the dual training excessive and unnecessary.
Led by Filbert Baguma, General Secretary of UNATU, the union presented its concerns to Parliament’s Education Committee during discussions on the National Teachers Bill 2024. Baguma argued that having both school practice and internships was redundant and overwhelming for teacher trainees. He emphasized that the two forms of training serve the same purpose, and only one should be adopted.
"The creation of an internship should allow trainees to complete the academic part of their studies before entering the field," Baguma said. "We can’t have both school practice and an internship, as it creates unnecessary duplication."
Baguma argued that having both school practice and internship, creates unnecessary duplication.
(Photo by Parliament Press)
Baguma further explained that the introduction of internships was intended to replace the traditional school practice, which takes place while trainees are still studying. He stressed that requiring both is counterproductive and burdensome for students.
Concerns over teacher welfare
In addition to opposing the dual training requirements, UNATU raised concerns about the lack of provisions for the welfare of internship teachers in the proposed bill. The union noted that the National Teachers Bill 2024 is unclear on whether the government would provide financial support to teachers during their internships.
"This ambiguity would deter talented individuals from joining the teaching profession," Baguma warned. "The bill should provide clear guidelines on whether the government or schools will offer stipends or financial support for interns to ensure a fair internship system."
UNATU proposed that, in the absence of financial support, intern teachers should be deployed in their home areas to reduce the financial strain. However, this suggestion raised concerns among Members of Parliament (MPs), including Fort Portal City Women Representative Irene Linda Mugisha. She questioned how districts without teacher trainees would manage and what would happen in areas where there is an oversupply of trainees.
Linda Mugisha (right) questioned how districts without teacher trainees would manage and what would happen in areas where there is an oversupply of trainees. (Photo by Parliament Press)
Regional disparities and teacher distribution
Mugisha, along with Isaac Etuka (Upper Madi County), also highlighted the issue of regional disparities in education, with some districts struggling to produce teacher trainees. Etuka pointed out that districts like Madi-Okollo, where few students complete A-Level education, would face a shortage of trainee teachers if the requirement for a teaching degree is enforced.
"The real issue is not just the distribution of teachers but the overall attractiveness of the teaching profession," Baguma added. "To address the shortage, we need to make the profession more appealing so that more students choose teaching as their first career option."
Etuka pointed out that districts like Madi-Okollo, where few students complete A-Level education, would face a shortage of trainee teachers. (Photo by Parliament Press)
Proposal to include University and Tertiary teachers
UNATU also rejected a proposal by the Ministry of Education to exclude university lecturers and tutors from the scope of the National Teachers Bill. Baguma argued that the bill should apply to all educators, from nursery to university level, to ensure the professionalization of teaching across all levels.
"This bill should address all teachers in the country," Baguma stated. "Leaving out categories of teachers defeats the purpose of professionalizing the teaching profession."
The union called for the inclusion of tertiary institutions and universities in the bill, as had been suggested in earlier drafts. The debate continues as Parliament’s Education Committee deliberates on the bill's provisions.
For Inquiries, contact the Editor on 0786372304 / Email: dickens@tmafrica.co.ug
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