COSASE Flags Bureaucracy Hampering Teacher Confirmations

The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) is scrutinizing the prolonged delays faced by teachers in Uganda when it comes to their confirmation in service. Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi pointed out a concerning disconnect in the recruitment pipeline, where the Education Service Commission’s involvement appears to diminish mid-process, leaving the Ministry of Education and Sports to handle final confirmations.

During the financial year ending December 2025, out of 16,200 teachers slated for recruitment, only 13,611 were confirmed. This leaves a significant backlog of over 3,626 appointed teachers awaiting confirmation, a process that has become frustratingly slow due to bureaucratic hurdles.

COSASE is particularly worried that these administrative delays, which involve applications moving between schools, the ministry, and the Education Service Commission, not only frustrate educators but also create avenues for fraudulent activities. Teachers, after a six-month probationary period and evaluations, face a lengthy confirmation procedure.

Further compounding the issue is the Education Service Commission’s incomplete composition. Article 167 of the Constitution mandates a chairperson and six other members. However, the committee found that some commissioners were absent for recruitment duties, and key positions, including a deputy chairperson and a member, remain unfilled.

State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, acknowledged the widespread staffing deficits in the education sector, which stands at a 35% vacancy rate against an establishment of 291,571. He attributed these shortages to recruitment freezes and insufficient wage provisions, particularly noting the impact of a recruitment halt initiated after payroll irregularities were uncovered in 2022.

Despite requests for Shs69 billion to hire critical staff for the competency-based curriculum, funding was not allocated. Regarding confirmations, while teachers initiate the process post-probation, the Permanent Secretary, Kedrace Turyagenda, stated that any delays primarily occur at the school level, with the ministry acting promptly once applications are received.

https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4590/cosase-questions-bureaucracies-teacher-confirmation