Summary:
- Uganda has witnessed the loss of 1,278 teachers from 2021 to 2023, with stress, poor working conditions, and inadequate income identified as major contributors, raising concerns about a potential teacher shortage by 2025, according to the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU).
From 2021 to 2023, Uganda recorded the loss of 1,278 teachers, attributed to various ailments and accidents, as reported by the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU). This significant loss, discussed during a recent delegate conference in Kampala, has raised concerns about a growing gap in the teaching profession.
UNATU Chairperson, Mr. Zadock Tumuhimbise, expressed dismay over the disturbing statistic and emphasized the need to address the factors contributing to the loss of teachers’ lives. Stress from unmet demands was identified as a leading cause of death among teachers, with Mr. Santus Okot, the UNATU branch chairperson of Katakwi, warning of a potential teacher shortage in Uganda by 2025.
During the period from January to November, 356 teachers passed away, with 272 being males, according to UNATU. Mr. Nobert Opira, a delegate from the Lubaga branch, linked the high mortality rate among teachers to frustration stemming from poor working conditions and inadequate income.
Teachers, struggling to meet living standards, education expenses for their children, and other domestic obligations, often resort to reckless lifestyles, leading to increased fatalities. In 2021, 490 teachers, including 126 women, lost their lives, while 2022 saw the death of 432 teachers, including 104 women.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, a recent incident involved a teacher from Ejome Primary School in Uriama Sub-county, Terego district, who was arrested by community members for drinking alcohol during class hours. Frustration drove the teacher to disruptive behavior on the school compound, further emphasizing the urgent need to address the challenges faced by educators in Uganda.
Additional Daily Monitor
