Uganda honors teachers’ day, president Museveni leads celebrations
20 October 2024, 2:55 pm
By Ronald Ssemagonja
The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) proclaimed that every year on 5th, October, be a day to celebrate teachers worldwide. This proclamation was made in 1994 when a special intergovernmental conference convened by UNESCO in Paris France adopted the UNESCO/ILO recommendation concerning the status of teachers, in cooperation with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The government of Uganda decided to celebrate this year’s world teachers’ day on 19th, October and was held at Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala under the Theme, “Valuing voices towards a new social contract for education.” The President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni was the chief guest. In his statement, the president first congratulated the teachers upon reaching their day. ” I congratulate you all. Those who laughed at our strategy can now see the results. Everything we do aims to empower everyone. Mass education, mass immunisation, and security for all to bring peace throughout the country” he said. Museveni also reminded the country that the government begun enhancing the salaries of science teachers, with plans to address arts teachers in a phased approach. He wished them good luck and confirmed that he has fulfilled the pledge he made in 2023 to contribute shillings 20 billion in teachers’ SACCO.
In her address, the Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet Museveni, thanked God for world teachers’ day. “I want to thank the Almighty God for this day that we gather here to celebrate in recognition of the God-given responsibly that teachers all around the world exercise in raising and nurturing humanity through education.” she said. The minister who also doubles as the first lady, continued to state that the voice of the teacher has immense influence that transcends the life of the learner and one’s classroom environment. “Such transcendence only happens when the teacher carries himself with noble value, he or she expects others to perceive him or her. The teacher’s social contract is unlike that of many other professionals. In fact, the unwritten expectations as part of the contract of the teachers is what most in the community will use to decide whatever they should value the teachers’ voice or not. I urge you to look to where we are going as a country. Do not get stuck in the past.” she said.
The first lady reminded everyone that the nation can’t be transformed by teachers alone, but it takes more than one profession to transform a nation. Mrs Museveni said that it calls for humility and patience in the work teachers do, and speaking for such humility is exemplified in Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Church at Corinthians Chapter 12:14-22 which says that now the body is not made up of one part but of many.
According to the minister, the government is committed to fulfilling its part of the social contract. “In conclusion I have no doubt in my mind that the government is committed to fulfilling its part of social contract with the teacher, likewise when each teacher resolves in their heart to listen to that voice to fulfill one’s part of the social contract of education. We shall witness a turnaround in the quality of our teaching and learning in the this country.” she stated. The Minister thanked ambassador Kevin Colgan and his predecessor; ambassador William John Carlos for being used by God to not only wish Uganda well but also support the teachers to have the opportunity to learn from their fellow professionals in Ireland. During the celebrations, learners from various schools exhibited. The teachers thanked the Government for caring for them but requested to handle the issues of infrastructure especially in rural areas where learners still study under trees.