Vice President Maj. Jessica Alupo has today put aside her honors and stormed one of the classrooms in Katakwi to ‘eat chalk’ again in an effort to prepare students in the district to pass with flying colors in upcoming National Examinations.
The bootilicious legislator who represents Katakwi Women in parliament, spent a better part of her weekend teaching students in one of the schools in the district where she fired them with hot questions in chemistry subject.
A former teacher herself, Alupo clad in her trademark Kitenge with a scarf, put aside her guards and freely engaged the students asking them questions related to the Bunsen Burner and how it is used.
“Who knows what a Bunsen burner is and when it is used?” She asked.
Alupo lectured to students that a Bunsen burner is used in chemistry procedures in the laboratory setting to heat substances or sterilize objects on high heat.
After receiving wild cheers from the kids due to her teaching skills, Alupo flagged off the Skills Training at Epel Memorial Training Institute.
She was flanked by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports Kadrace Turyagyenda.
A total of 1673 teachers comprising government aided primary school, community primary schools, Early childhood Development centres, government aid secondary schools, private secondary schools, community secondary schools, Epel Memorial Technical Institution, Katakwi Technical, and Private technical schools were in attendance.
Prominent among the issues presented included; salary discrepancies, the heavy work-overload, teachers’ policy, ECD teachers to have a university degree, teachers’ accommodation, appreciation of best performing teachers.
Others included; hardship allowance, school based recruitment, and free connectivity to fibre cable, scheme of service, dormitories for newly built seed schools and inclusion of in Epel Memorial on the government payroll.
The VP praised the vital role played by teachers in shaping lives of the future generations and called upon them to enhance student outcomes, faster inclusive learning environment and develop inclusive teaching methods.
“As educators you are the backbone of our education system. Your dedication and expertise for teaching has profound impact on the lives of your learners. Today I would like to acknowledge your tireless efforts and express my deepest gratitude,” Alupo said.
She urged teachers to remain focused amidst all the challenges as raised above by their Chairperson Pius Oleer saying government is doing its best handle them in a phased manner.
“You are not just teachers, but mentors, guides and role models. You inspire curiosity, foster creativity, and nurture critical thinking. Your influence extends far beyond the classroom shaping character and values of our future leaders,” Alupo said.
She recognized the challenges for managing the diverse learning needs to adapting to new technologies. Your resilience and adaptability are truly remarkable.
The Vice President appreciated the teachers commitment to student centered learning and professional development saying as government they will support ongoing training in a manner which is humanly possible.
She told the educators that collaboration and communication are key and urged them to continue working together. “Your well-being matters and I would to promise on behalf of government that we shall continue prioritizing teacher self-care,” she said.
She lauded the new PS Turyagyenda for her determination and steadiness in steering the education ministry and congratulated upon her new appointment.
The PS informed teachers that their focus should be on the learner and it is the reason for which schools and teachers exist and urged them not to be worried about the upcoming teacher policy, saying it is still under discussion and not yet approved by parliament for implementation.
Turyagyenda asked the teachers to follow the teachers’ code of conduct emphasizing that the most important duty of a teacher is to develop the learner in the body, mind, soul, character and personality.
