By Weswa Ronnie
NAMISINDWA
Namisindwa district local government is sending back Shs1.4 billion to the Consolidated Fund this Financial Year 2023/24 after failing to replace retired, dead and absconded teachers.
This was revealed by Alex Molokoi, the Secretary for Education at Namisindwa district local government while speaking to our reporter on Wednesday, 29th May, 2024 during an exclusive interview at the district office.
According to Molokoi, a number of teachers both secondary and primary have retired but no replacement has taken place.
He adds that the Shs1.4billion which was meant to pay those teachers (if recruited) is going to be taken back since those meant to be paid are out of service.
Molokoi says that the Ministry Of Public Service permitted local governments through Public Services Commission department to conduct recruitment of workers without their permission if it’s replacement. However, the district was still unable to carry out the exercise.
In response, Geoffrey Timbuti, the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer of Namisindwa says that the district was in the process of replacing vacant positions to avoid taking back the money, but found themselves time constrained.
“The recruitment process is elaborate, Head teachers first have to confirm availability of vacancies, present to the Human Resource Department, who then submit to District Council for approval before an advert can be placed. So we were caught within those processes,” he said adding that the process will be finalized next FY.
He adds that it’s true a good number of teachers have retired in the district but soon they are going to run the advert to replace them in the next Financial Year since this one is coming to a close.
Emma Bwayo, the Namisindwa district male youth councilor urged the district service commission to hurry with the advert due to the fear of not getting applicants because government has phased away primary teaching colleges meaning the number of grade III teachers are minimal.
