We need to build strong SMCs leadership in schools to improve academic performance

ToroDev is this month of February 2017 discussing the education sector and is hosting different people including duty bearers, technical and other citizens to talk about different topics under education sector. On 5^th February 2017 during the ‘Listeners forum’ program that is aired live every Sunday 8-10pm on Jubilee radio we hosted Mr. Tumwesige Adolf an economist and an advocate of education. Adolf said parents need to play their roles especially providing basic care and guidance to children to have good morals that will help them progress in their education.

He said our schools in this country are faced with  challenges like limited supervision of SMC’s, existing gaps between schools and communities, oversight roles by some committees in schools, school drop-outs, absenteeism of teachers & children, etc all these have affected school development plans that would be accelerating improved performance in schools and  to the learners.

Pupils studying under a structure

Pupils studying under a tree

Mr. Tumwesige while commenting on the vocational and technical education said the government has not supported it, yet it is the key where students will gain skills to be job creators and earn a living by increasing their house hold incomes without waiting for white collar jobs that have worsened the unemployment syndrome in the country. He said if students are given skills through effective teaching, this can help to improve on economic development. ‘’Government should totally accept, commit and support the operation of vocational and technical education in the country by increasing funding of education sector to curb some of the ailments that exist currently’’, said Adolf Tumwesige

Students in a science labaratory

 The two hours live talk show was joined by listeners through whatsapp, facebook & call-inns and about 35 called in; ‘’ teachers are not motivated by the salary they earn and the working conditions in this country and to some extent this has accelerated absenteeism that has affected schools performance, government need to plan on the issue of motivation of teachers’’, said Monica a caller from Rwengaju in Kabarole district, ‘’government should focus on construction and equipping of science laboratories for our children to pass science subjects that will help them get jobs easily’’, said Moses a caller from Hakibale sub county in Kabarole district, ‘’parents should support government to provide scholastic materials to their children so as to make them compete with others to increase performance’’, said Lawrence Asaba a caller from Kyegegwa district.  

 We are grateful to SIDA, NED, SPIDER, ICT4DEM, CIPESA & all other development partners for the financial & technical support.