Luweero, Uganda — An impromptu monitoring exercise in several government-aided primary schools in Luweero District has exposed worrying levels of headteacher absenteeism, raising concern among education stakeholders about leadership and accountability in some public schools.
The inspection was conducted by Waswa Abdulkarim Tamale, the ONC Regional Coordinator for Greater Luweero and Political Personal Assistant to Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo.
During the monitoring exercise, several government schools were visited including Lukyamu UMEA Primary School in Kamira Ward, Bugema Church of Uganda Primary School, and Kibanga Church of Uganda Primary School in Vvumba Parish, Busiika Town Council.
Findings from the visit revealed that some school headteachers were absent from duty during official working hours, raising concerns about administration and supervision in the affected schools.
At Lukyamu UMEA Primary School, the Headteacher was not present at the school during the inspection. A similar situation was observed at Bugema Church of Uganda Primary School, where the Headteacher was also absent. However, at Kibanga Church of Uganda Primary School, the Headteacher was found present and actively supervising school activities.
Speaking after the monitoring visit, Tamale warned that continued absenteeism among school heads poses a serious threat to the performance and stability of government schools.
“This time around the government shall not just look on when civil servants fail to do their work. To my observation, in many government schools the headteachers are frequently absent, yet we cannot expect good academic performance in such an environment,” he stated.
He emphasized that the absence of school leaders weakens school administration and limits effective supervision of teachers and pupils.
The monitoring exercise also revealed that some government schools are experiencing very low pupil enrollment despite having available facilities. In some cases, the number of pupils in a school was found to be below 150, raising concern about leadership, community mobilization, and management of public education institutions.
“It is worrying to find schools with facilities but with very low pupil numbers. Leadership plays a big role in mobilizing communities and ensuring that children attend school,” Tamale noted.
He also raised concern about occasional absenteeism among some teachers, noting that such behavior undermines government efforts to strengthen the education sector.
“Even some teachers tend to be absent, yet the government tries its best to pay their salaries even when resources are limited. Public servants must appreciate that they have a responsibility to serve learners and communities,” he added.
Tamale emphasized that the government led by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement remains committed to strengthening the education sector and will not tolerate negligence among civil servants.
He called upon School Management Committees (SMCs) to actively carry out their oversight responsibilities to ensure that teachers and administrators report to work and effectively manage schools.
Local leaders, elders, and education authorities including District Education Officers (DEOs) were also urged to strengthen supervision and accountability within government schools.
“SMCs, community leaders, and education authorities must rise and do their responsibilities. Schools belong to the community and leaders at all levels must ensure that teachers and administrators fulfill their duties,” he emphasized.
Education stakeholders believe that stronger cooperation between communities, school leadership, and government authorities will be key in restoring performance and improving the reputation of government schools in Luweero and across the country.
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