Schools stranded after transfered teachers in Yumbe refuse to relocate

Yumbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Teaching and learning in several government aided primary schools in Yumbe district has been paralyzed for weeks over failure by the newly transferred teachers to report to their new duty stations.

Early last month, the District Education Department announced the transfer of about 300 primary school classroom teachers in a bid to address the challenge of teachers who have overstayed at their old work stations for more than five years.

However, some of the affected teachers are yet to report to their new duty stationa a month on. Uganda Radio Network has learnt that in some of the schools, only four teachers are managing classes from Primary One to Seven. The challenge is affecting teaching and learning in the affected schools.

Robert Anguliga, the head teacher of Kumia Primary School in Odravu sub-county disclosed that in one case, only four teachers were teaching 724 learners.

Anguliga said two teachers were transferred from the school during the recent mass transfer and those who were posted to the school have failed to report.

Meanwhile, Robert Atama, the head teacher of Kilaji Primary School in Kerwa sub-County, explains that the delayed reporting of the teachers who were transferred to the school has compelled them not to teach subjects like mathematics and basic science. Only four teachers are manning the operation of the school.

Yumbe District Chief Administrative Officer Moses Acuna Kapolon described the actions of the implicated teachers as indiscipline. He vowed to take punitive disciplinary measures against them. Acuna maintained that the transfers were normal and aimed at improving performance in the district.

Last month, most of the transferred teachers expressed discontent with the district transfer committee over what they termed as irregularities in transfers.

The affected teachers cited double transfers to two different schools at the same time as well as frequent transfers of some teachers who have hardly spent five in their duty stations.

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