Education Ministry Admits Corruption in Teacher Recruitment Under World Bank Program

Summary:

• Minister Ogwang also noted that some head teachers and deputy head teachers recruited under the program do not meet the required qualifications.

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KAMPALA: The Ministry of Education and Sports has acknowledged the infiltration of corruption, bribery, and nepotism in the recruitment of teachers under the World Bank-funded Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) Program.

This revelation was made by Peter Ogwang, the Minister of State for Sports, on Wednesday during plenary sitting while presenting a statement on the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in secondary schools under the project.

“It has come to the attention of the Government that the recruitment process has been infiltrated by corrupt tendencies and opportunism. The Ministry and the Education Service Commission have received credible information about irregular secondment of staff to these schools with the expectation that their appointments will be regularized. Prospective teachers are reportedly paying hefty sums of money to be included on the list of sitting teachers,” Ogwang stated.

Ogwang also noted that some head teachers and deputy head teachers recruited under the program do not meet the required qualifications.

“To qualify as a head teacher for a seed secondary school, one must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Education or a Bachelor’s degree with postgraduate qualifications in Education from a recognized institution, a Master’s degree in Education or a related field, and at least 12 years of experience in a government-owned or government-aided secondary school, three of which should be at the level of deputy head teacher,” Ogwang emphasized.

He further expressed concern over the quality of head teachers and their deputies recruited through school-based channels.

“The sector has noted with concern that the quality of head teachers and deputies recruited leaves a lot to be desired. These individuals, transferable to existing schools, lack the capacity to manage institutions. Complaints have been received from Chief Administrative Officers and sitting teachers who were excluded from recruitment lists because they are not from the regions, despite having served in these schools for long periods,” he added.

In response, Speaker Anita Among referred the minister’s statement to a joint committee comprising the Committee of Education and Sports and the Committee of Public Service and Local Government.

The committees are tasked with investigating allegations of corruption, nepotism, and lack of qualifications among the recruited leaders of these seed schools.

“We expect a report that includes a fair hearing for the affected teachers. The petition, alongside the minister’s statement, will be reviewed by the Committee of Education and Sports, which will take the lead, and the Committee of Public Service and Local Government. The findings will address all allegations and provide fair treatment to those involved,” Speaker Among said.

However, her directive sparked mixed reactions among Members of Parliament who wanted to discuss the issues immediately.

Speaker Among dismissed their requests, stating, “It is premature for us to debate this statement. Let us follow our rules. The matters will be taken to the committee, including the advert.”