Recruit English teachers from beyond the region

Editor,Reference is made to an article that appeared in The New Times of April, 12, titled “Search for English teachers continues”. It looks like efforts are being made to hire teachers from our EAC partner states. That’s good but, in my view, I think it’s better to invite applications from other countries as well. For instance, why not try to attract Zimbabwean teachers? They are highly educated, with many of them crossing to South Africa to look for job opportunities where they sometimes end up being under-employed. Since it’s obvious that there are salary issues involved (package may not be attractive enough, in some cases), it’s advisable we expand our horizon, we widen our radius.Another idea could be to tap into a voluntary base in our Diaspora during their vacations. For instance, we could ask the students on scholarship to teach for a period of time as a payback for the tuition.Next thing to do is for the Ministry of Education to design curricula that is good enough to improve the standard and quality of education system. NicoleGasabo EditorAs unemployment levels loom large in many nations, the Ministry of Education should cast the net wider to also include professionals with different training backgrounds. They should not limit themselves to only those with qualification in the teaching of the language; they should tap further into that unutilised human resource to solve your problem, by also looking at the abilities. I am convinced that even others can deliver in teaching the language. So focusing only on professional English teachers may not be helpful in raising a particular required number. For instance, in Uganda, enrollment for courses leading to education is far below, which makes it unpopular as a course and profession too. Alternatively, the government can train more Rwandan teachers through offering them opportunities to upgrade their skills in foreign institutions, especially in Teacher Training Colleges. Long distance learning programmes can be helpful in this case. EricKampala

Opinions

Recruit English teachers from beyond the region