Kampala, Uganda – In a move aimed at promoting transparency and fairness, Members of Parliament have urged head teachers in seed schools to compete for their jobs. The call comes after the Education Service Commission advertised the positions, sparking concerns among the Head teachers.
The MPs emphasized that the recruitment process should be merit-based, ensuring that the most qualified candidates are selected for the positions. This approach is expected to boost the quality of education in the seed schools, ultimately benefiting the students.
“We want to ensure that the recruitment process is fair and transparent,” said Hon. Martin Muzaale, MP for Buzaaya County, emphasizing that “By competing for their jobs, Head teachers will be motivated to perform better, and the students will benefit from having the most qualified teachers.”
The move has been welcomed by education stakeholders, who see it as an opportunity to improve the education sector. “This is a step in the right direction,” said Ibrahim Kitata, Vice President of the Uganda Local Government Association while meeting the petitioners on Monday, 27 January 2025.
He elaborated that, “By promoting merit-based recruitment, we can ensure that the best candidates are selected for the positions, ultimately benefiting the students and the education sector as a whole.”
Earlier last year in November, Head teachers and Deputy Head teachers of 76 seed schools under phase two of UGIFT petitioned Parliament, seeking affirmative action from the Education Service Commission.
According to reports from Parliament, they presented their petition to Speaker, Anita Among on 25 November 2024, where she referred the complaint to the Committee of Education and Sports.
As the head teachers compete for their jobs, the students can look forward to having the most qualified teachers, leading to improved educational outcomes.
Hoima East Division Legislator, Hon. Patrick Isingoma mentioned that granting the petitioners affirmative action will cause a shift in government’s recruitment policy while Abim District Woman Lawmaker, Hon. Janet Okori-moe challenged the head teachers to convince the committee as to why they deserve affirmative action.
“Tell us why you think you are better than other Ugandans who are equally qualified and what would you recommend as the fair, transparent and merit based recruitment process,” Okori-moe sounded.
Chairing the Committee on Local Government, Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi expressed concerns as to why the teachers were worried, especially if they are qualified for the jobs.
“The lead petitioner should help us understand; did they detect certain requirements in the advertisement that will disqualify them? If certain things are unfair, you need to tell us,” he said.
Leading the petitioners, Mr. Stanley Ochom, the Head teacher of Loroo Seed Secondary School in Amudat District said “The head teachers are not eligible, according to the requirements in the advertisement.”
Mr. Ochom, however, suggested that recruitment of sitting teachers would be conducted at the school level as it has been since 2017.
According to ULGA Vice President for Central Region, Mr. Ibrahim Kitata, sitting head teachers and their deputies with the required experience and qualifications, regardless of whether they are on the government payroll or not should be allowed to apply for the positions.
“This recommendation would eliminate all discriminatory sentiments and accusations arising from interested, experienced and qualified Ugandans,” Kitata said.
Meanwhile, the development is expected to have a positive impact on the education sector, promoting transparency, fairness, and merit-based recruitment.