Science Teachers Protest Chaotic Transfers

Science teachers under their national union have raised alarm over disorganised transfers, citing poor facilitation, abrupt deployments, and staff shortages as key challenges affecting both teacher welfare and learning outcomes.

Science teachers under the Uganda Professional Science Teachers' Union have raised concerns over what they describe as unfair and poorly managed transfers across the country.

Speaking during their annual meeting in Kampala, the union’s National Chairperson, Vincent Erong, said the process of transferring teachers from one station to another is often disorganised, leaving many struggling to adjust, particularly when deployed to hard-to-reach areas.

“We are not opposed to transfers, but the way they are implemented is a big challenge,” one teacher said. “Many of us are sent to remote areas without proper preparation or support.”

Teachers cited several challenges following relocation, including delayed salaries, poor transport networks, and lack of basic facilitation, all of which they say negatively affect their welfare and the quality of education they provide.

According to the educators, although the Ministry of Education has made efforts to improve working conditions, the issue of transfers remains a persistent concern.

“Some transfers are requested by teachers, which is understandable, but others are abrupt and come without prior notice,” another teacher explained. “This disrupts our families and our work.”

The union’s general secretary, Aron Mugisha, called on the government to streamline the transfer process to make it more transparent and humane.

“Government should ensure that teachers are adequately prepared and supported before being transferred,” Mugisha said. “This will not only improve their welfare but also ensure continuity and effectiveness in teaching.”

He also highlighted the shortage of science teachers in many schools, noting that in some cases, a single teacher is tasked with handling all science classes.

“It is overwhelming for one teacher to manage all students across different classes,” he added. “There is an urgent need to recruit and deploy more practical science teachers to improve learning outcomes.”

The teachers have appealed to authorities to urgently address the challenges, warning that failure to do so could continue to affect the performance of both teachers and learners across the country.