100 teachers in Terego district reject transfer

Over 100 primary school teachers in Terego district who were recently transferred have refused to report to their new duty stations. 

Last month, the Terego district education department transferred 443 education assistants and senior education assistants to new duty stations aimed at improving performance in the district. But, for more than a month now, a number of the teachers have refused to honour the transfers causing a teacher shortage in schools. 

At Erewa primary school in Aiivu sub-county, three teachers out of nine who were transferred to the school have not reported up to date. Morish Asindua, the head teacher says that the current teachers at the school are overwhelmed, noting that it could greatly affect the learning outcome for the learners.

“A normal teacher is supposed to have 4 lessons or 4 periods in a day but you realise that these teachers are taking six periods, seven periods, in a day so the number of children currently having in school by Wednesday, I would have already had 1,222. If you look at this enrolment right now, there is a staffing gap,” said Asindua. 

Richard Arami Ojodria from Onzua primary School in Leju town council says that three teachers were transferred from the school and replaced with only one teacher who has not even reported.

According to Arami, the school is currently understaffed with only nine teachers which has made subject allocations difficult. Bosco Nyakuci, the LC III chairperson of Leju town council explains that a number of schools in the town council have been grossly affected by the cases of teachers who have not reported to their new duty stations.

Terego district education officer Charles Dradria says that his office is aware of the cases of teachers rejecting transfers. He says that they have embarked on pursuing those who have rejected their transfers and they will not hesitate to take appropriate action.

Sections 63 and 6 of the Local Government Act CAP 243 as amended and the Uganda Public Service Standing orders 2021 gives powers to the chief administrative officer to deploy and transfer personnel to any duty station within the district.