Proposal to place headteachers on contracts sparks debate
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Loading... - Hope Atubo
- 20 Feb 2023
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There is a raging debate in the education sector on the proposal to place head teachers and their deputies in government primary and secondary schools on contracts. This is one of the proposals that the National Planning Authority submitted to the Education Policy Review Commission recently.
According to the NPA, once implemented, this could help increase accountability for school heads and create a clear system for determining rewards and sanctions. “Transfer all head teachers from the traditional public service terms to contract staff terms where renewal shall be dependent on school improvement on key indicators including teacher and pupil attendance, time on curriculum-related task, and learner proficiency in gateway subjects,” the proposal reads in part.
Currently, head teachers, like other civil servants, are permanent and pensionable. They serve from the time of appointment until retirement. However, some education experts suggest that placing head teachers on contracts may improve their efficiency and lead to changes in individual school performance and the overall sector.
William Bwambale, the Chairperson of Headteachers in Wakiso district, believes that contracts can have a significant impact on improving education in Uganda. Bwambale states that contracts have several advantages, such as establishing clear expectations and consequences for performance, which can make headteachers more accountable for their actions and decisions.
Patrick Kaboyo, an education expert supports the proposal to contract head teachers and their deputies. He argues that the current permanent and pensionable status has contributed to decreased outcomes as those in charge of schools have failed to fulfill their responsibilities well aware that even if they perform poorly, there will be no consequences.
According to Kaboyo, the current terms for head teachers in public service make them too comfortable compared to their counterparts in the private sector who understand that they must meet specific targets or risk dismissal.
Godfrey Bwabye, a private school operator in Mukono, says that many public servants tend to play the I don’t care card because of the permeant and pensionable clause. Bwabye agrees with Kaboyo noting that much of the better performance in private schools is due to the fact that one’s job is tagged on specific targets and achievements.
Harriet Nabisubi, the Headteacher for Ngandu Community Primary School also supports the proposal of introducing contracts, saying that currently, the authorities transfer head teachers whose leadership has failed to improve a given school but they end up messing their new duty stations. But David Mulinde Ssenyondwa, the Chairperson of Nakaseke Universal Primary Schools Head Teachers’ Association, believes that contracts alone without addressing other factors may not improve the performance of head teachers. Read More…
