By Waiswa Michael Baluye
Not many days ago, the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni, also the First Lady, released the Primary Seven Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) as prepared by Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
According to UNEB, the country registered a drop in performance as fewer learners got distinctions. Also captured was the fact that many pupils who join Primary One never complete primary section by writing PLE – many drop off midday before completing primary level.
In this article, I present seven challenges that schools, learners and parents face. I also present seven solutions that can be considered to improve the education sector in Uganda.
Increase in School-going Population
As the population of children increases, the demand for teachers and resources also rises. The current teacher-to-student ratio of 1:165 is unsustainable. Hiring more teachers and improving training can help manage this imbalance.
Teacher Shortages
With only nine teachers for 1500 pupils, there’s a clear shortage of staff, which affects the quality of education. Increasing the recruitment of teachers is essential to ensure smaller class sizes and more individualized attention.
Lack of Parental Supervision
In rural areas, many parents don’t supervise their children due to socio-economic challenges or lack of education. Community programs that educate parents on the importance of involvement in their children’s education could help bridge this gap.
Poor Feeding
Inadequate nutrition can severely affect a child’s ability to concentrate and learn. A government-led school feeding program can help improve the health and learning capacity of students.
Inadequate Resources
When parents cannot afford materials and logistics for their children, it hinders their academic performance. Providing free textbooks and learning materials or subsidizing the cost of school supplies can ease this burden.
Teacher Motivation
Low pay and lack of motivation can lead to absenteeism, late arrivals, and disinterest in teaching. Increasing teacher salaries and offering incentives for performance would encourage more dedicated and punctual educators.
SOLUTIONS
Recruit More Teachers
This will help reduce the teacher-student ratio and provide more individualized attention to students, improving learning outcomes.
Increase Infrastructure
Building more classrooms and avoiding overcrowding or lessons under trees will create a more conducive learning environment.
Enhance Supervision
A stronger system of supervision from the education department will help hold schools and teachers accountable, ensuring quality education.
School Feeding Programs
The government taking over the responsibility for feeding pupils can improve both their health and academic performance.
Increase Teacher Salaries
Competitive wages would not only motivate teachers but also attract more qualified professionals into the sector.
Competent School Management
Ensuring that school management committees are effective and involve stakeholders in decision-making can improve school governance and performance.
Parental Involvement
Parents need to take an active role in their children’s education, such as helping with homework and monitoring their progress. Educating parents on how to support their children will contribute to better outcomes.
In summary, improving the performance of primary schools requires a holistic approach involving increased resources, better teacher support, infrastructure improvement, and stronger community and parental involvement.
Waiswa Michael Baluye is the ONC Coordinator of Buyende district.
