Education Ministry to recruit 6,000 teachers for seed schools
By Bridget Nsimenta
The Ministry of Education and Sports is set to recruit 6,000 additional secondary school teachers for seed schools across Uganda, starting in the 2024/2025 financial year.
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According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Dennis Mugimba, the recruitment will focus on both science and arts teachers to cover compulsory subjects and common elective courses typically chosen by students after Senior 2 at O level.
However, Mugimba noted that it will not be possible to recruit all 6,000 teachers at once due to limited resources.
"In the current financial year, about 2,075 teachers will be recruited, with additional hires planned for subsequent years," he said.
As part of the government's educational expansion efforts, 117 new schools will be established under the second phase of the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) program, starting with 83 schools this financial year.
Each school will have 31 staff members, with deployment based on the compulsory subjects outlined in the lower secondary curriculum.
Additionally, the government plans to build 46 secondary schools this financial year to expand access to education.
The government’s goal is to establish seed schools in every subcounty, town council, or city division that currently lacks a public school.
Regarding the recruitment process, Mugimba emphasized that vacancies will be advertised, and he encouraged eligible candidates to apply when the time comes.
He also stressed that volunteering is not a qualification for employment and assured that the recruitment process will maintain zero tolerance for corruption.
Mugimba further mentioned that the ministry is aware of the issue of ghost teachers and plans to implement manpower audits in the teaching workforce.
Addressing the issue of teachers absconding from duty, Mugimba stated that such behavior does not significantly impact the government, as there are plenty of young people ready to replace them.
He also described early retirement and absenteeism as disciplinary issues and forms of corruption.
Mugimba urged teachers to be patient, noting that salary enhancements will be implemented gradually.
Despite these efforts, Filbert Baguma, General Secretary of the Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU), acknowledged the initiative but criticized the plan, arguing that the recruitment of 6,000 teachers is insufficient given the overwhelming student-teacher ratio.
He also noted that the education sector is becoming increasingly unattractive, leading to more teachers leaving their posts.
