Education Ministry Aims to Overhaul Teacher Professionalization with New Bill
The Ministry of Education and Sports has proposed a new bill seeking exclusive rights to place all student teachers in Uganda for their internships.
This proposal is part of the National Teachers’ Bill 2024, which was tabled on August 6, 2024, by John Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education.
According to clause 3(2) of the Third Schedule, “The Ministry shall be responsible for the placement and posting of persons undertaking the internship programme.” Additionally, clause 5(2) stipulates, “A person who intends to undertake an internship shall apply to the Ministry for placement.”
The proposal follows the Ministry of Health’s struggle to deploy 1,271 medical interns due to a UGX 18 billion shortfall, which also affects the hiring of specialists to supervise the interns.
The Ministry of Education aims for teacher internship training to last 12 months, conducted in accredited institutions with headteachers supervising intern teachers through appointed supervisors.
The National Teachers’ Bill aims to establish a framework for professionalizing and standardizing the teaching profession through effective internship, registration, licensing, and accreditation.
The Ministry highlighted issues such as teacher absenteeism, ineffective teaching, low qualifications, and lack of standards as reasons for the Bill.
Key provisions in the Bill include the administration of competence tests for anyone seeking to register as a teacher in Uganda. Clause 27(3) proposes that applicants may undertake a competence test to determine suitability for registration.
Additionally, Clause 28(1)(a) states that only individuals with a degree in education and completed internships are eligible for registration as teachers.
The Bill also proposes severe penalties for non-compliance, including a four-year jail sentence or a fine for teaching without a degree or license. Clause 28(3) outlines these penalties. Moreover, the Bill allows non-Ugandan teachers to practice in Uganda, provided they meet certain criteria, including proof of registration in their home country and a certificate of good conduct from Interpol.
For practicing license renewal, Clause 38 requires teachers to apply for renewal within two months before the expiry of their current license. The Bill also restricts training institutions from employing unqualified persons to teach degrees in education, with violations resulting in fines or imprisonment.
Clause 54(2) empowers the National Teachers Council to de-register teachers for reasons including voluntary removal, professional misconduct, conviction of a capital offence, or death.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has referred the National Teachers’ Bill to the Parliamentary Education Committee for scrutiny, urging wide consultations among all stakeholders. The Committee is expected to report back to Parliament within 45 days.
