Gulu City, Uganda: At least 19 government primary school head teachers in Gulu City on Tuesday received high-end digital tablets from Gulu West MP Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, in a bold move to enhance technology integration and improve school management.
The donation, handed over at Gulu Public Primary School on April 15, 2025, is part of Mapenduzi’s broader efforts to bridge the digital divide and promote smarter administration in public schools.
“These tablets will help head teachers access digital tools, streamline school operations, and keep up with modern educational trends,” said Hon Ojara Mapenduzi. “We must use technology to improve learning outcomes and decision-making in our schools.”
Despite the positive gesture, education leaders painted a grim picture of the challenges affecting public schools in Gulu.
Ms. Proscovia Aber, the Gulu City Inspector of Schools, said many teachers are forced to take up side jobs like riding boda bodas just to survive. “Some teachers live on loans and can’t afford basic necessities,” she said, adding, “This affects not only their ability to teach but also their mental health and job satisfaction.”
Ms Aber further stressed that most schools lack essential supplies like chalk, warning that the promise of free government education is undercut by chronic underfunding.
“How do we expect teachers to deliver quality lessons when even chalk is missing?” she asked. “Government must urgently prioritize education in the national budget.”
According to the 2023 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results in Gulu City; 890 pupils passed in First Grade, 2,391 in Second Grade, 711 in Third Grade, 333 in Fourth Grade, and 176 failed, while 61 missed the exams entirely.
Mayor, Head Teachers Call for Better Pay
Gulu City Mayor Alfred Okwonga echoed the call for increased investment in schools and better remuneration for teachers. “Many of our teachers live below the poverty line and can’t afford school fees for their own children,” he said. “We must support them with resources and training to improve performance.”
Head teachers also voiced frustrations about low salaries and poor public perception of the teaching profession.
Ajok Irene, head teacher of St. Joseph Primary School, said the current pay scale is demoralizing. “Teachers are among the lowest paid professionals despite their vital role,” she said. “With better pay, they’d focus fully on teaching instead of hustling for side income.”
She called on the government to increase salaries and restore dignity to the teaching profession.
In Uganda, government-employed primary school teachers on average earn; UGX 400,000 – 500,000 per month with 1–3 years of experience, and up to UGX 700,000 with more years of service
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