Teachers Forge Transfers to Secure Positions in Elite Schools

An increasing number of educators in Uganda are resorting to fabricating transfer documents to secure positions in what are considered elite schools. This trend, confirmed by the Ministry of Education and Sports, stems from the belief that these schools offer greater opportunities for supplementary income through side businesses and access to a wealthier parent population.

According to Ms. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Permanent Secretary, the ministry has registered over 20 such cases since last financial year. She explained that teachers often aim for schools in urban areas, assuming they will have more time for other income-generating activities and that Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) will provide more funds. The government, however, assigns teachers based on need, often deploying them to underserved regions first.

Suspected teachers are being summoned to explain how they obtained these forged documents, with cases being escalated to the Education Service Commission for appropriate disciplinary action, which can include dismissal. Some teachers claim they were misled by individuals posing as ministry officials who promised them appointments or transfers.

The issue became more apparent following the migration of the Public Service payroll system from IPPS to the Human Capital Management (HCM) system, which flagged discrepancies. The ministry is now collaborating with some teachers to identify the fraudsters and has collected phone numbers used by those impersonating officials.

Mr. Asuman Lukwago, Permanent Secretary of the Education Service Commission, acknowledged the rise in forged transfer cases. He noted that teachers, being adults, should follow proper channels for transfers, especially when experiencing delays, rather than seeking them through unofficial means.

This situation highlights underlying issues within the education sector, including significant staffing gaps. State Minister for Education and Sports, Mr. Peter Ogwang, revealed that out of the required 291,571 positions, only 188,118 are filled, leaving a 35 percent vacancy rate, particularly acute in secondary education and tertiary institutions. The ministry’s requests for funds to recruit critical staff have not been met, limiting its ability to address these shortages.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/teachers-fake-their-way-to-elite-schools-5580456