Mbarara authorities are concerned about the increasing cases of teacher absenteeism in schools.
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According to the UWEZO Uganda sixth learning assessment report 2016 funded by Twaweza, Mbarara district is still grappling with serious cases of absenteeism despite emerging the best in the assessment.
Gabriel Ahimbisibwe, the Mbarara District Education Officer, said although the report places Mbarara district at the top, they have a problem of teacher absenteeism.
He said several teachers have abandoned work and resorted to riding boda boda in town.
Ahimbisibwe said some teachers posted to rural schools stay away well knowing that there are minimum chances of being caught by the district authorities. He advises teachers who feel unable to teach to apply for early retirement.
George William Kwishima, the UWEZO contact person for Mbarara district, said the affected teachers take advantage of the minimum supervision to stay away from school to engage in personal work.
Ben Patrick Twahirwa, the Uganda National Teachers Union chairperson Mbarara district, said much as teachers are facing challenges in executing their duties, there is need to call some of them to order.
He said that the union is already engaging teachers to start income generating projects that don't necessarily require them to be away from school.
