By Diana Kintu
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Janet K. Museveni has underscored the crucial role of private sector investment in the nation’s education system, while also stressing the need for enhanced regulatory measures to uphold quality standards.
While highlighting the substantial role private education institutions play in providing education, the the Minister revealed that private institutions make up 27% of primary schools and 66% of secondary schools in the country, enrolling about 20% of primary-level students and 50% of secondary-level students.
“It is therefore important that such big contribution to our education provision is adequately nurtured and regulated through effective policies and guidelines,” she said.
Mrs Museveni’s remarks are contained in her message contained in guidelines for staff employment in private schools and institutions in Uganda, published in The Uganda Gazette on 27th June 2025.
Titled, “Guidelines for Staff Employment in Private Schools and Institutions in Uganda, April 2017,” the regulations are meant to promote effective management of schools institutions for quality education provision. The minister explained that the guidelines have been formulated to address a major factor affecting quality of education provision. “The quality of staff and the terms and conditions of employment, especially of the teaching staff, are leading education determinants.”
She pointed out that, The Education (Pre-primary, Primary, and Post-primary) Act
2008, Section 3(b), empowers the Minister responsible for education to make regulations to promote effective management of schools and institutions for quality education provision.
The minister expressed concern about some private schools that continue to hire unqualified teachers or depend on part-time teachers from Government schools, especially in the science subjects.
“The problem is compounded by the fact that teachers without formal contracts are underpaid and in some cases not paid at all,” the minister explained. This, she said, leads to low staff morale and inadequate professional development, which in turn negatively impacts on learning outcomes.
She explained that the implementation of the guidelines will serve as a quality assurance tool for private schools. “By adhering to the requirements in the guidelines, to these standards, school owners and managers will be adding value not only to their institution but also to the education sector as a whole.”
The minister concluded by saying that implementation of the guidelines will enhance teacher quality and professionalism, boost staff morale, and help create a conducive environment that reduces teacher turnover and disruptive occurrences, like strikes.
“I therefore urge all private school owners and managers to comply with the provisions of these guidelines in recruiting, managing and developing employees, especially teachers,” the minister concludes.
The Minister’s remarks come in the context of significant progress in increasing access to education at all levels, as a result of deliberate policy initiatives introduced since the 1992 Government White Paper on education.
Highlights of the guidelines
- The aim to improve the quality of education by setting clear standards for staff recruitment, management, and professional conduct.
- Private schools must ensure all teaching staff meet minimum qualification requirements.
- Emphasize fair employment practices, requiring schools to provide written contracts, timely salary payments, and adherence to statutory obligations such as NSSF contributions and PAYE deductions.
- Teachers must be employed on full-time basis unless otherwise specified, and schools are prohibited from hiring unqualified or part-time teachers from government schools.
- To promote professionalism, the guidelines outline strict disciplinary procedures, including fair hearings for accused staff and clear penalties for misconduct such as examination malpractice, theft, or endangering students.
- Schools that fail to comply with the guidelines risk deregistration and closure.
- Protect teachers’ rights, including entitlements to sick leave, maternity leave (60 days on full pay), and paternity leave (four working days).
- Schools must also observe all public holidays and compensate staff required to work during such periods.
- These measures align with the Education Act (2008) and other labour laws, reinforcing the government’s commitment to improving education standards in private institutions. School owners, administrators, and teachers are urged to familiarize themselves with the full guidelines, available in The Uganda Gazette Vol. CXVII No. 51.
- The Ministry will monitor compliance, with district education officers tasked to enforce the regulations and address grievances through established appeal mechanisms.