A probe into the state of teaching in selected schools in Bushenyi district has revealed a shocking trend where professional teachers hire mercenaries to teach.
The Western Ankole civil society forum conducted the investigation.
Apollo Kakonge, the coordinator Western Ankole civil society forum, says that during the probe, the forum members found out that the names of the teachers found in classrooms did not correspond with the names on the payrolls.
Kakonge says that qualified teachers hire mercenaries to teach on their behalf as they attend to their private businesses. He blames the inspectors for the emerging trend.
The research also found out that teachers connive with government officials at the
district who take a certain percentage of their salary.
Kakonge said that the forum is recommending a strengthened inspection tool involving even the parents. He said that Parents should also get on board to see that their children’s time they spend at school is not wasted.
But speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the teachers said that the inspectors conduct their business in bars. He disclosed that often times head teachers are seen in bars holding visitors books where the district education inspectors blindly append their signatures and write impressive comments without visiting the schools.
Jafari Basajjabalaba, the district chairman, says inspection of schools in Bushenyi has been fraught with several irregularities. He however says that effective next term the inspections will be re-enforced.
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