Teachers in Buyende district have decried a huge workload due to the absence of enough teachers to effectively handle the increasing number of learners, resulting to unmatched ratio of learners to teachers.
The teachers say they are challenged dilapidated structures and less pit latrines which continue to hinder the learning process as learners and teachers fail to respond to nature in time.
Hajjat Esther Kumutala Aisha Wakudumula the chairperson UNATU Busoga region, highlights that aside from the staffing shortages, current teachers are facing adverse working conditions.
“Even before addressing salaries, many teachers are working without necessary instructional materials and often teaching on empty stomachs due to the absence of provided lunches. The lack of staff quarters forces many teachers to allocate a significant portion of their salaries to rent. Some schools are located far from towns, resulting in long commutes and late arrivals,” Wakudumula states.
The district education officer (DEO) for Buyende district Disan Bwire says government decision to halt recruitment has affected them so much given their few numbers of teachers in schools and confirmed they submitted reports to the ministry about shortage of teachers.
The national ratio of pupils to learners is 1:53 but Buyende is standing at a ratio of 1:70 where he said it has caused a workload to available teachers who keeps on complaining.
The DEO says the national ratio of pit latrines to learners is 1:40 which is opposed to the condition in Buyende district where one pit latrine serves over 120.
He called upon government to increase funding to the local government for appropriate planning.
Mary Annet Nakato the Woman Member of Parliament for Buyende who is also a member of the finance committee of parliament has since assured the teachers as the President Museveni has pledged that their remuneration will also be addressed in the upcoming financial years, bringing their pay in line with their science counterparts