Kasese Leaders Blame Poor Performance On Absenteeism

The education department in Kasese district has noted that absenteeism of teachers and pupils is affecting the completion of the syllabus leading to poor performance of pupils. 

The officials have vowed to increase the strict monitoring of schools to ensure that teaching is done. 

In the released mock examination results for primary seven candidates, only 455 out of 2,773 that sat were in Division One. 

Sam Monday Sibaminya, the Secretary for the Head Teachers’ Association in Kasese says absenteeism of both learners and parents is a contributing factor to the poor performance being recorded in most schools across the district. 

Seith Ahebwa, the Kasese Municipal Principal says chronic teacher and learner absenteeism compromises the quality of education and reduces spending efficiency.   He called for more supervision by school administrators so that there could be better results at the end of the year. 

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According to a report released by the Inspectorate of Government in 2022, Uganda's education sector lost 1.9 trillion Shillings to corruption within the education sector and teacher absenteeism between January and June of 2022.

The Kasese LCV Chairperson, Eliphaz Muhindi says that whereas teachers are seeking an enhanced salary, they should not relent in giving their best to learners. 

Earlier, the Kasese RDC Joe Walusimba had cautioned teachers against absenteeism, asking the head teachers to report those who are always absent without clear reasons.

However, the teachers, attribute the poor performance to a lack of motivation from their superiors and government. 

They also note that some learners miss school as a result of parents failing to meet their obligations such as providing scholastic materials and lunch.