Frank Gashumba, the Vice Chairperson for the Central Region of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), has vehemently criticized the Ministry of Education’s proposal that all teachers, including those at nursery and primary levels, must possess a university degree.
The outspoken activist did not hold back in expressing his displeasure with the policy, which he views as a glaring contradiction in the standards being applied to different sectors of the Ugandan workforce.
In a scathing critique of the proposed plan, Gashumba pointed out the irony in requiring nursery and primary school teachers to hold degrees while allowing Members of Parliament and even the President to qualify for their positions with as little as an A-level certificate. “Amazing how law makers are making fools of themselves,” Gashumba remarked, highlighting the inconsistency in the qualifications expected of educators compared to those making laws.
Gashumba further emphasized the absurdity of the situation by referencing the qualifications of some parliamentarians. He noted that some members of the ICT Committee in Parliament, who are expected to guide national policy on technology, struggle with basic tasks like opening their own Gmail accounts. Yet, these same lawmakers are imposing stringent academic requirements on teachers who work at the foundational levels of education.
“Imagine a country where a chair of an ICT Committee in parliament can’t even open his own Gmail, but is part of a house pressing primary teachers to get degrees,” Gashumba said, pointing out the disconnect between the skills of those in power and the demands they place on others.
Gashumba’s comments underscore a broader concern within the PLU and other stakeholders about the practicality and fairness of the proposed policy. He argued that such a policy could lead to further inequality and disenfranchisement, particularly in a country where access to higher education remains a challenge for many.
Gashumba concluded his statement with a somber reflection on the state of the nation, saying, “Prayers alone can’t save our Country.” His words suggest a deep frustration with the current leadership and a call for more practical and equitable solutions to Uganda’s educational challenges.
