RUBIRIZI, UGANDA – The Rubirizi District Education Office (DEO) has issued a stern warning to teachers and head teachers over absenteeism, late reporting, and other professional misconduct, vowing to take decisive disciplinary action against offenders.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Addressing the media at the beginning of the first term, the District Education Officer, Mr. Tumusiime Geoffrey, declared that the era of impunity for indiscipline among teaching staff is over.
He emphasized that teachers must report on time to prepare for lessons, noting his department has begun school visits to identify those abusing official time.
Geoffrey revealed that unscheduled monitoring visits have commenced across the district to identify and remove from the payroll any teacher found guilty of consistent lateness or absenteeism.
“Teachers are expected to report in time to prepare their lesson plans and classwork. The education department has started visiting schools to identify undisciplined teachers who abuse time. Whoever is found guilty will be disqualified and removed from the government payroll,” he cautioned.
He urged parents to become partners in upholding school discipline by reporting any cases of teacher absenteeism or intoxication during school hours to the authorities.
The DEO also turned his attention to school heads, issuing a directive to headteachers and School Management Committees (SMCs) to submit names of teachers who fail to report on time.
He further issued a strict warning against the illegal levying of school fees by head teachers, stating that the practice contravenes government policy and the Education Act.
“I have directed headteachers and school management committees to submit the names of teachers who fail to report to school in time. I also warn headteachers against charging unauthorized school fees, stating that it is against government policy and the Education Act,” Geoffrey asserted.
The Chairman of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), Rubirizi District, Mr. Ahimbisibwe John Baptist, also called upon teachers to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics.
He cautioned teachers against behaviors that tarnish the profession and harm the learning environment, specifically warning against inappropriate relationships with students, absenteeism, and consuming alcohol during class time.
“I urge teachers to uphold professional ethics and warn against engaging in unprofessional behavior such as having relationships with students, absenteeism, drinking alcohol during class time, and time abuse,” John Baptist emphasized.
The combined messages from both officials signal a coordinated push to restore discipline, accountability, and professionalism in Rubirizi’s schools as they move from warnings to action.
