Education policy review commission in Ankole, leaders demand review of the curriculum and salaries

The education policy review commission has embarked on a consultative engagement with educational leaders in the districts of Ankole to identify prominent issues encountered by schools in relation to the education policy.

Education administrators and local government officials from the districts of Ntungamo and Rwampara urged the government to prioritize meticulous planning in the formulation of policies to avert future challenges.

These sentiments were expressed during a consultative meeting with educational leaders from Ntungamo and Rwampara districts, facilitated by the education policy review commission under the leadership of Hon. Amanya Mushega

During an engagement, school headteachers and district education officers and inspectors pointed out issues concerning among others, the curriculum, salary disparities, and capitation grants.

"If this competence based curriculum is to be implemented, government should provide all the necessary equipment to all schools equally" an education administrator.in Rwampara said.

According to Edward Mbabazi the Senior Education officer Rwampara district, " government needs to get a mechanism of ensuring that parents contribute to the welfare of the schools, their children and teachers since government is saying their schools shouldn't charge money for fees"

"Teachers are doing early retirement, mandatory retirement, death, some of the headteachers will tell you they have less than seven teachers in schools and who are not happy, this is creating a vacuum " Philmon Kwesiga a school headteacher in Rwampara said.

The chairman of the education review commission Amanya Mushega revealed the roles of the commission noting that the commission is on a fact-finding mission and will compile a report on their views.

"Views are views so we are in Ankole to gather views from various districts and compare and make a report beforw the end of December should reflect the thinkingof Ugandans, what they think should be done because there is something wrong"

He, however, issued a challenge to them to address the issue of time management and absenteeism prevalent in these educational institutions, which contribute to the chaos.

"You cannot be coming late at 10am as a leader when offices are supposed to be open at 8am and cleaners and secretaries arrive earlier than the big giys, the bigger you are the late you become, No that must stop" Mushega said.