The deteriorating standards of education in Busoga Sub-region have sparked concerns among stakeholders, with many questioning how the region lost its academic excellence.
Despite a high number of learners attending school, reports indicate that actual learning is minimal, raising fears about the future of education in the region.
Once a powerhouse of academic achievement, Busoga is now grappling with declining performance in schools.
Educationists and leaders cite multiple causes for this downturn, including poor teacher recruitment, lack of commitment among educators, and the tendency of parents to send children to study outside the region, leaving local schools to collapse.
Esther Amongin Nandase, head teacher of Backley High School in Iganga, attributes the crisis to a flawed recruitment system that fails to bring competent professionals into the sector.
She argues that this has resulted in an influx of “half-baked” learners who struggle with basic skills.
Florence Mutyabule, the Presidential Adviser on Wealth Creation in Busoga sub region and an educationist, echoes similar concerns.
She believes teachers today have not upheld the legacy of past generations and blames parents for abandoning the region’s schools lamenting that some of the institutions that once produced great leaders are now in
Rt. Rev. George Samuel Bogere Egesa, the Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, calls for collective efforts to revamp the sector. He urges education authorities to ensure that the new curriculum is not just theoretical but practical in preparing learners for the future.
"Education calls for concerted efforts of all stake holders to restore the education sector in this region," he said.
Speaking at a thanks giving at Backley High School, Dr. Prof. Samuel Luboga, Chairperson of the Education Service Commission, encouraged teachers to focus on leaving a lasting legacy rather than prioritizing salary concerns.
He also urged educators to embrace the new curriculum, warning that continued resistance could further hinder.
With concerns mounting, stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to restore Busoga’s lost academic glory.
Whether the region will regain its past excellence remains a question that only decisive action can answer.