The National Teachers Bill Targets Quality and Accountability in Classrooms – Experts.

Educationists in Uganda have welcomed the passing of the National Teachers Bill 2024 by Parliament, saying it will significantly improve both the quality of education and teacher welfare.

The proposed law introduces sweeping reforms, including setting a Bachelor’s degree as the minimum qualification for all teachers across nursery, primary, and secondary levels. This represents a major shift from the current framework, which allows entry into the profession with certificate and diploma qualifications, particularly at lower education levels.

Teachers currently in service will be given a ten-year transition period to upgrade their qualifications to degree level. Those who fail to comply risk being deregistered and barred from teaching in Uganda.

The Bill also provides for the establishment of a National Teachers’ Council, which will be responsible for licensing and regulating the profession. Under the proposed system, teachers will be required to obtain a practicing licence valid for four years, renewable upon clear demonstration of continuous professional development.

Benjamin Rukwenje, an education expert and CEO of Boundless Minds, says the reforms have been long overdue.

He argues that raising the academic threshold for teachers will enhance professionalism and improve learning outcomes in schools. He also notes that higher qualifications are likely to compel both government and private schools to review salaries and working conditions.

“Once you raise the qualification bar, the system must respond with better pay and welfare,” he says.

Rukwenje also welcomed the creation of the National Teachers’ Council, describing it as a critical step in professionalising the sector.

He says the body will help streamline standards, enforce accountability, and eliminate unprofessional conduct within the teaching workforce.

Context and Concerns

The Bill comes amid ongoing debates about teacher motivation, low pay, and declining learning outcomes in Uganda’s education sector.

While proponents say the reforms will professionalise teaching and align Uganda with global standards, critics have raised concerns about feasibility. Questions remain about access to higher education, the cost of upgrading qualifications, and whether the government will provide sufficient support to teachers during the transition period.

There are also concerns about potential teacher shortages, particularly in rural areas, if large numbers fail to meet the new requirements.

The government has previously introduced similar reforms in other professional sectors, aiming to improve standards and accountability.

If signed into law by the President, the National Teachers Bill 2024 will mark one of the most significant policy shifts in Uganda’s education sector in recent years.