Legislators in Uganda are urging the Ministry of Education and Sports to review the National Teacher Policy (NTP) regarding the education requirements for Early Child Care Education (ECCE) teachers.
They find the current requirement of a bachelor’s degree unrealistic. The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) and education ministry officials discussed this matter in response to a petition from the Pre-Primary Teachers Training Institutions Association-Uganda (PPITA).
The education ministry argues that the bachelor’s degree requirement is meant to establish a high standard for pre-primary teachers’ competence.
The policy is based on research and benchmarking visits to various countries. The government plans to sponsor eligible ECCE certificate holders to upgrade to a diploma and eventually a bachelor’s degree within a 10-year period.
Some MPs voiced concerns, stating that children aged three to eight primarily learn through play and activities and might not require degree-holding teachers.
They also highlighted challenges in paying current bachelor’s degree-holding teachers adequately. Other MPs argued that the bachelor’s degree requirement should be maintained as ECCE is fundamental for a child’s education and suggested addressing teacher remuneration.
Joseph Kikomeko, the education ministry’s Commissioner of Early Childhood Education, however, told the education committee that the requirement of a bachelor’s degree is geared towards setting a benchmark for the practice expected of pre-primary teacher trainees, educators and leaders, ensuring they are aptly qualified and competent.
He added that the policy is based on benchmarking visits across the East African region, Africa, and the world. The ministry officials visited Kenya, Zambia, Finland, Singapore, Canada and Australia, among others.
“The stipulation that all educators should possess at least a Bachelor of Education degree is not exclusive to Uganda. The provisions in the NTP-2019 will pave way for the ECCE teachers’ national and regional integration,” said Kikomeko.
Hon. Connie Nakayenze (Indp., Mbale City Woman Representative), however, said that children aged between three to eight years do not require to be taught by degree holders.
“I want to be given a satisfactory answer that a three-year-old child will need a degree holder to teach them, because they learn by playing, they learn by singing and activity,” said Nakayenze.
Hon. Juliet Kinyamatama (Indp., District Woman Representative, Rakai), however, said that the requirement of bachelor’s degree should be upheld since ECCE lays a foundation for a child’s education.
Hon. Faith Nakut (NRM, District Woman Representative, Napak) expressed disappointment with the ministry’s submission, saying that there is lack of goodwill to address the plight of the ECCE sector.
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