They were suspended pending disciplinary action after the Education Inspectorate Authority of the Diocese accused them of absenteeism, poor Primary Leaving Examination results, failure to remit foundation fees, and failure to account for capitation grants, among other things.
The Kasana Luwero Diocese has recommended the reinstatement of
four headteachers suspended over mismanagement of church-founded schools.
Early this year, Luwero District Education Department
suspended four headteachers from their duties after Kasana Luwero Diocese filed complaints against them.
The headteachers whose names are withheld were from Kabulanaka, St Kizito Nabutaka, Kibanyi and Buyuki Roman Catholic Primary schools in Luwero district.
They were suspended pending disciplinary action after the
Education Inspectorate Authority of the Diocese accused them of absenteeism,
poor Primary Leaving Examination results, failure to remit foundation fees, and failure to account for capitation grants, among other things.
According to PLE results for 2023, 8 out of 15 candidates that sat at Nabutaka Primary School failed and 15 out of 35 candidates that sat at Kibanyi Primary School also
failed hence ranking among the worst ten performing schools in the district.
Boniface Ssentongo the Chairperson of the Education Inspectorate
Authority of Kasana Luwero Diocese says that following the suspension, the
headteachers have undergone counselling and written apologies
admitting their shortcomings.
Ssentongo adds that as a result, the Church Education
Department resolved to caution them and recommend them for reinstatement in the
schools.
Ssentongo however noted that the department set conditions
for them which they must fulfil after re-instatement and those who fail will be
permanently banned from heading church-founded schools.
Ssentongo said that headteachers have been directly to
account for UPE funds promptly, remit foundation funds, draw budgets for all school
activities and ensure the foundation body, as well as parents, are involved in
planning for the schools among others.
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Hajji Yusuf Kamulegeya the Luwero District Inspector of
Schools say that they are yet to get recommendations from the Diocese on
the fate of the headteachers.
He however noted that as Education Department will only reinstate those who have demonstrated discipline and willingness to reform.
Kamulegeya explained that the affected headteachers are currently at the offices of the district education department for rehabilitation and they were asked
to appear daily for special assignments as well as disciplinary actions.
“So if we scrutinize the attendance book and find that you
have been irregular, then we shall not reinstate you even if the church recommends
you,” Kamulegeya said.
Bernard Okello the Luwero District Human Resource Officer
said that there was also a need for to stakeholders meet to find solutions to some
issues that may be contributing to the poor performance of headteachers.
“You may find some headteachers have failed to deliver due
to gaps caused by the management. So we shall need to sensitize the
headteachers and foundation bodies on how to handle such gaps.” Okello said.
According to sections (A-N )19 and 20, the Uganda Public
Service Standing Orders the responsible Officer shall stop the salary
immediately and submit to the Appointing Authority for a formal directive of
his or her removal from public service on abandonment of duty.
There are 230 Universal Primary schools, 23 government-aided
secondary schools and two technical institutions in Luwero district.
