Teachers in Mukono spent much of Teachers’ Day doing what they do every other school day — teaching — as concerns over low pay, staff shortages and hungry learners overshadowed celebrations. At Ngandu Community Primary School in Mukono Municipality, lessons continued as usual on Monday, with teachers in classrooms and pupils attending lessons.
For some teachers, there was little sense that the day was meant to honour their profession. Leonard Mwebe, the deputy head teacher, said it felt unusual to celebrate Teachers’ Day while still working. “It is surprising to celebrate our day while we are still working,” Mwebe said.
He said the school is struggling with several challenges, including parents who do not pay feeding fees, a shortage of teachers and a lack of staff accommodation. Mwebe also expressed concern about learners who fall sick, which he linked to hunger. Dorothy Nakimuli, a teacher at the school, said she was equally surprised that teachers had not been given time off to mark their day.
She, however, appreciated the government for paying teachers’ salaries on time and providing a modest allowance. Nakimuli said the realities of teaching had become increasingly difficult, with some learners going to school hungry while teachers struggle to cope with low salaries and the rising cost of living.
She called for a salary structure that recognises teachers’ years of service. But the mood was different at Mukono Boarding Primary School, where teachers and pupils marked the occasion with dancing and waving the national flag. Head teacher Mrs Suzan Wamala Sserunkuma joined her staff and pupils in the celebrations, during which learners thanked teachers for guiding them, teaching them and standing by them during difficult moments.
Some pupils described their teachers as courageous figures who protect and support them when they face problems. Wamala Sserunkuma, who chairs the Mukono Municipality association of head teachers, said the celebration should also be a moment to reflect on the pressures facing teachers.
She cited economic hardship, intimidation and instances where teachers are publicly embarrassed in front of learners and parents, saying such treatment undermines the dignity of the profession. Wamala also raised concern about proposals to stop parents from making financial contributions to schools, arguing that some of these contributions are necessary to keep schools running and support learning.
At Mukono Junior School in Ttakajjunge, Nama Sub-county, head teacher Katongole Nabil called on Minister for State for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara to investigate complaints against teachers thoroughly before publicly criticising them. Nabil said public criticism without proper investigation damages the dignity and morale of teachers.
He also stressed the need to ensure that learners have food at school, saying hungry children struggle to concentrate and remain in class. While Teachers’ Day gave some educators a chance to celebrate their contribution to education, teachers in Mukono said recognition alone will not address the challenges they face. For many of them, the bigger concern remains how to teach effectively while dealing with hungry learners, inadequate staffing, limited pay, and growing scrutiny from parents and the public-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
