Otuke, Uganda – Otuke Resident District Commissioner (RDC), George Abdul, has issued a stern warning to teachers and headteachers who indulge in alcohol during working hours and those who fail to reside near their schools, vowing to take strict action against them.
Speaking during a meeting held on February 4, 2025, at Otuke District Hall to release the 2024 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results, Abdul expressed disappointment over the district’s poor performance and attributed part of the problem to negligence among some educators.
The meeting was attended by primary school headteachers and district education officials.
Abdul criticized teachers who prioritize drinking over their professional responsibilities, labeling them as “garbage” who add no value to the education system.
“I will not tolerate drunkard teachers in Otuke. When I go for school supervision and find any teacher drunk or drinking, I will embarrass them publicly. Such teachers are a disgrace to the profession,” Abdul warned.
He also emphasized the importance of headteachers residing within or near their schools to effectively monitor academic activities and school management.
“Being a visiting headteacher is unacceptable. Headteachers must either live within the school compound or rent nearby to ensure proper supervision of both staff and students,” he added.
The RDC further directed the district education department to stop transferring underperforming teachers and headteachers to well-performing schools, arguing that such actions could negatively impact those schools’ results.
“If a teacher or headteacher is not performing, don’t transfer them to schools that are doing well. Remove them from the system and recruit fresh, committed educators instead,” Abdul said.
He encouraged headteachers nearing retirement to leave behind a legacy of excellence and urged them to provide career guidance to their learners, especially those facing challenges in pursuing further education.
In response to the low pupil turnout at the start of the first term, Abdul called on school leaders to lead by example by ensuring their own children attend school regularly.
He also advised stakeholders to elect active parents as PTA chairpersons to enhance accountability in schools.
The RDC concluded by announcing plans for routine inspections in schools across Otuke, warning that headteachers who fail to comply with residency requirements will face disciplinary action.
