The Uganda Professional Teachers of Humanities (UPTHU) mobiliser for Kigezi Region, Praise Twebaze has asked teachers to use World Teachers’ Day to reflect on their profession, evaluate their teaching and push for better welfare and working conditions.
This year’s global theme is “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Future”, while UNATU is commemorating the day under the theme “Celebrating Teachers, Creating Lasting Value.”
Twebaze, said the annual commemoration should go beyond celebrations and provide an opportunity to identify gaps in the education system and propose practical solutions.
Twebaze said Teachers’ Day should be used to assess the impact of the curriculum on learners, evaluate teaching practices and reflect on the contribution of teachers to the country’s education system.
He said many teachers are not sufficiently motivated or valued because of poor welfare and inadequate remuneration, which affects their ability to take pride in the profession.
Twebaze also raised concern over the disparity in remuneration between science and arts teachers, saying science teachers at the basic level earn a gross salary of about Shs4 million, while secondary school arts and humanities teachers earn about Shs1.5 million.
He welcomed government’s efforts to improve the pay of science teachers but said all teachers should be supported with better living and working conditions.
Twebaze said teachers are among the greatest agents of change because every generation passes through their hands, from nursery and primary school to secondary school and university.
He said improving teachers’ welfare and professional standing would help restore learners’ appreciation of education and strengthen the belief that education is a pathway to a better life.
He urged government and other education stakeholders to place teachers’ welfare at the centre of efforts to improve the country’s education system.
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The Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) general secretary, Filbert Baguma, said teachers need more than salaries to effectively perform their duties.
Baguma said teachers also require adequate teaching materials, continuous training, respect and better working conditions to deliver quality education.
He urged teachers to use the day to reflect on their achievements, challenges and the support they need to effectively nurture learners.
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Meanwhile, the acting Minister of Education and Sports, Dr John C Muyingo, said government recognises the difficult circumstances under which many teachers work, including large classes, limited instructional resources, changing technologies and evolving curricula.
In a statement issued on Monday to mark the day, Dr Muyingo said government considers investment in teachers as an investment in Uganda’s human capital and future.
He said government remains committed to progressively enhancing teachers’ remuneration, with salary enhancement continuing to be implemented in phases.
The minister said the FY2026/27 approved budget provides for salary enhancement for primary teachers and arts teachers in secondary schools, among other public officers, as part of the wider phased public-sector pay reform.
He, however, urged teachers to reciprocate the investment through professionalism, commitment, integrity, effective teaching and responsible service to learners and communities.
Dr Muyingo said government is also rationalising teacher training institutions to improve the quality, relevance and efficiency of teacher preparation.
He said the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) has been established to strengthen teacher preparation and professional development, including initial teacher education and continuous professional development.
The minister added that the Ministry of Education is in the process of establishing a National Teacher Council to strengthen professional standards, recognition, accountability and the overall status of teaching as a profession.
He said government is also using the Teacher Effectiveness and Learner Achievement (TELA) initiative to strengthen accountability and professional support at school level.
Dr Muyingo said TELA is intended to improve teacher attendance and time on task, while helping schools and local governments identify gaps and best practices to improve learning outcomes.
He said teachers who perform poorly because of inadequate skills should receive professional support and targeted development, while those who neglect their duties should face appropriate accountability measures.
The minister also said teachers must be prepared to respond to emerging challenges, including digital technologies, climate change, inclusion, migration and displacement.
He said although technology, including artificial intelligence, is transforming teaching and learning, it cannot replace teachers’ roles in guiding, inspiring, mentoring, assessing and counselling learners.
Dr Muyingo said government will continue improving teachers’ working conditions, strengthening teacher preparation, enhancing professional development and progressively improving remuneration while expecting teachers to uphold professional ethics and put learners at the centre of their work.
