Kagadi Teachers' Jobs Threatened by Shift from PTA Funding

A major shift in education funding policy by the Ugandan government is poised to affect employment for approximately 251 teachers and over 60 non-teaching staff in Kagadi District. The Ministry of Education and Sports is reportedly moving away from the long-standing practice of relying on Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) contributions to supplement government salaries for teachers and staff in government-aided secondary schools.

Headteachers from ten of the district’s twelve government-aided secondary schools have indicated that a substantial portion of their workforce is currently sustained by parental contributions. For instance, Kagadi Secondary School’s headteacher, Ramathan Nyondo, highlighted that out of 77 staff members, only 22 are paid by the government, with the rest depending on PTA funds.

This policy change, aimed at centralizing and standardizing teacher remuneration, could leave many educators without a reliable income source. The potential loss of these PTA-funded personnel raises concerns about a severe teacher shortfall, estimated to be around 400 across the district, which could significantly impact the quality of education delivered to students in Kagadi.

School administrators are urging the government to consider alternative solutions and provide a clear transition plan to mitigate the adverse effects on both the staff and the educational institutions. The Ministry’s directive, if implemented without adequate support mechanisms, risks destabilizing the education sector in the district.