IGANGA, UGANDA: The director Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCD) at Makerere University Dr David Kabugo has confirmed that Walugogo Primary Teachers College (WPTC) in Iganga district will handle their teaching courses up to diploma level.
This comes after the public recently perceived information that government is yet to scrap nursery education yet they are targeting to have degree teachers in all nursery schools to handle pre-primary education in the next ten years from now.
While commissioning 70 teachers who graduated at the College on Saturday, November 19 2022, Dr Kabugo, in his message read by Dr Muwonge Vincent one of the academic registrars at Makerere university said the College will start offering diplomas in Early childhood care and education and primary education starting next year 2023.
“The education officer said in eight-year they need to have a degree, and you can study degree after certificate and diploma. I want to inform you that Walugogo PTC with effect from 2023, you have a diploma, you will offer diploma in Early Childhood care and Education for Makerere university,” reads part of Dr Kabugo’s message.
He also urged parents to debunk all rumours intended to prevent them from taking their children in nursery education. He said it’s a level which won’t be scraped and the teachers will continue with their work in nursery section across the country.
“Some people are spreading false information that there is no more teaching of children in nursery, but I want to assure parents that we are still training pre-primary teachers and nursery schools are still open and they will never be closed. These teachers will be teaching in nursery schools with their certificates until they upgrade to degree level,” Dr Kabugo added.
The director of the College who doubles as the woman member of parliament in Bugweri district Racheal Magoola alias Obangaina says they have commissioned teachers who completed primary teacher education and Early childhood Education in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
“We’re commissioning our teachers of 2019, 2020 and 2021. When COVID-19 came, we halted business and the commissioning of those who finished those years has been done today. We have 70 teachers of primary teacher education and early childhood education and care,” Hon Magoola said.
She added that “the good news from our chief guest Dr Kabugo is that Makerere university has cleared us to recruit diplomas in primary education and Early childhood education from next year. If you studied a certificate in these courses, you will need to come back and study at diploma level”.
Mr Fred Isabirye, one of the teachers who graduated commended God, Walugogo PTC and their parents for supporting them through.
“I want to encourage my fellow teachers to always know that we should aim higher since we have a lot to do in future,” another graduate Akirol Charles said.
Kyakuwaire Mwajuma who graduated with a certificate in Early childhood education commonly referred to as nursery teaching says that teaching is a good course and urged people to join education and help the country.
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