More than 2,300 candidates shortlisted for teaching and non-teaching positions in government Seed Secondary Schools across the Teso and Karamoja sub-regions have begun oral interviews, with only 406 expected to secure jobs. The interviews, organised by the Education Service Commission (ESC), are being conducted at Teso College Aloet in Soroti City after applicants successfully passed aptitude tests held earlier this year.
The exercise, which started on July 27, will run until August 7. According to Education Service Commission Commissioner Muhammed Kaaya, the successful candidates will be deployed to Seed Secondary Schools in seven districts of Teso and seven districts of Karamoja.
Kaaya said the Commission was constrained by the limited number of vacancies available in the newly established schools. “We would have loved to take all of them, but we have limited vacancies because each school has been given only two teachers—one with a diploma and one with a degree—and one support staff per school,” he said.
Kaaya noted that the current recruitment exercise will see only 1,333 staff recruited nationwide, a sharp reduction from last year’s exercise in which more than 3,000 personnel were recruited for 90 Seed Secondary Schools. He encouraged unsuccessful applicants not to lose hope, saying more opportunities would become available as the government continues constructing additional Seed Secondary Schools across the country.
“We are only handling where the government has built Seed schools. When the schools are ready, we recruit more, and it is according to where the schools are located,” Kaaya said. The Chairperson of the Education Service Commission, Rev. Prof. Samuel Luboga Abimerech, highlighted the shortage of female teachers at the secondary school level, particularly in science subjects.
“I encourage girls, since they are the majority, to offer sciences because there is a great shortage of women teachers at the secondary level,” Luboga said. He added that the recruitment was necessary because many schools remain understaffed, noting that the exercise had been delayed as government awaited approval of the wage bill. Several candidates expressed optimism despite the stiff competition.
Francis Sekitoleko, who applied to teach Chemistry, said he hopes to introduce innovative teaching methods that will help learners become well-rounded individuals if selected. Sharon Akiteng, an applicant for Religious Studies, said she was confident about her performance during the interview but appealed to the Commission to ensure the recruitment process remains transparent and merit based. She urged interviewers to adhere strictly to recruitment guidelines and avoid bribery and other forms of corruption during the selection process-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
