The Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has condemned a proposed Ministry of Education and Sports policy seeking to centralize teacher training in a few government-controlled institutions.

The ministry is reportedly drafting a new policy, which is yet to be presented to Cabinet, that would place all teacher training institutions in Uganda under its direct control.

Speaking to journalists at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, FDC Deputy Spokesperson Warid Mulindwa Lubega said the proposed policy could worsen Uganda’s teacher shortage and limit access to teacher training.

The policy would reportedly phase out the country’s 33 Primary Teachers’ Colleges, five National Teachers’ Colleges, as well as teacher training programmes offered by universities.

Lubega urged the government to reconsider the proposal, arguing that instead of closing existing teacher training institutions, it should introduce a uniform national curriculum aligned with the Competence-Based Curriculum and provide retraining for teachers and tutors.

He also called for increased investment in teacher-training facilities and improved welfare for tutors.

Lubega further urged the Ministry of Education and Sports to conduct wider consultations with teachers, tutors, universities, colleges, parents, students and local governments before adopting the proposed policy.

He warned that centralizing teacher training without adequately addressing existing challenges could undermine efforts to produce enough qualified teachers for Uganda’s growing education sector.

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