The Committee on Education and Sports has really helpful that eligibility for registration as a trainer is a level in training or a related diploma, and a submit graduate diploma in training for pre-primary, major and secondary college lecturers.
The suggestion is contained within the report on the National Teacher’s Bill, 2023 that was introduced by the Committee Chairperson, Hon. James Kubeketerya through the plenary sitting on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.
“The committee observes that the Bill intends to make sure that the educating occupation is regularised and standardised, and the requirement of a Bachelor’s diploma for a trainer will go a good distance in attaining this,” learn the report partially.
The Bill additionally establishes the National Teacher’s Council (NTC), as a physique company which the committee welcomed however really helpful that its membership is revised to incorporate totally different classes of representatives involved with the educating occupation.
“The committee observes that the council consists of extra individuals who usually are not engaged in energetic educating in comparison with these engaged in energetic educating. Only three out of the seven members of the council are engaged in energetic educating,” Kubeketerya mentioned.
The committee additional really helpful that the Bill ought to present for collaboration between NTC and the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC).
The Committee’s suggestion was premised on the statement that whereas Clause 10 of the Bill offers for collaboration between NTC and the National Council for Higher Education, it stands to go away out different essential companies just like the NCDC.
“Clause 10 must be amended to incorporate collaboration with different authorities companies and to offer for collaboration in coaching of trainers and accreditation for steady skilled improvement programmes for lecturers,” he mentioned.
The Bill additionally proposes introducing a one-year internship programme for lecturers however the committee disagreed with the proposal, arguing that it isn’t honest for a trainer to undertake college apply and internship.
“The committee observes that the interval of 1 12 months is just too lengthy after a trainer has accomplished a level and is subjected to a different 12 months of coaching, along with college apply. Teachers ought to solely be required to do educating and college apply,” Kubeketerya mentioned.
There was nevertheless a minority report that was introduced by Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West County) whose areas of dissent included requirement of diploma {qualifications} for lecturers.
He really helpful that authorities ought to put in place programmes for the gradual improve of lecturers to amass the diploma {qualifications} and the price must be borne by authorities.
“Teachers shouldn’t be mandated by legislation to have a level to show. However, authorities ought to encourage lecturers to improve their {qualifications} progressively,” Ssewungu mentioned.
He added that the place the federal government requires a level, it ought to present a wage commensurate to a level qualification, in addition to enhance the working setting for colleges as most constructions are dilapidated, lecturers lack educating supplies and the scholar trainer ratio is excessive.
He additionally mentioned that institution of the NTC is in opposition to authorities coverage on rationalisation of presidency companies and public expenditure.
“Instead of making a council of seven members, the federal government ought to direct these funds to the districts significantly to the inspection division to supervise and supervise the efficiency of lecturers in colleges,” he mentioned.
The Minister of State for Education and Sports (Higher Education), Hon. Chrysostom Muyingo mentioned that the brand new legislation is meant to treatment trainer absenteeism, ineffective educating and low {qualifications}, lack of trainer regulation and lack of requirements for the educating occupation, amongst others.
“The Bill embeds the brand new authorities coverage by professionalising the educating occupation with the intention to enhance the event and administration of lecturers,” Muyingo mentioned.
He added that the Bill additionally ensures that the coverage adjustments within the educating occupation are introduced in an orderly course of.
Speaker, Anita Among deferred debate on the Bill to Wednesday, 27 November 2024.
