KYAMBOGO– French teachers at various levels have been asked to upgrade in their Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) so that they can be able to close the gap of lack of French tutors in various higher institutions of learning throughout the country.
During the celebration of international day for teachers of French held at Kyambogo University on Saturday, it was brought to the attention of the participants that most higher institutions in the country lack enough qualified lecturers of French despite of their willingness to pay them an attractive renumeration.
Janyce Obrecht , the deputy head of mission at French embassy in Kampala, while representing the French Ambassador at this year’s celebrations, she noted that French is no longer just taught as a language for formality, but it’s a language taught to promote economic empowerment in Uganda and Africa as a whole
“In Economic context , French helps students to improve on their employability skills…especially during this period when we have French speaking countries with in the East African Community (EAC).”
She further noted , that as an Embassy they have put in place a number of measures aimed at equipping teachers with modern teaching skills , as well as making French more attractive to learners.
Prof. Elizabeth Kyaziike, the Dean of Students at Kyambogo University commended French Embassy, Alliance Francaise and partners for entrusting them with an opportunity to host most of their big events.
“By the time I became the dean of this institution , we had only one lecturer of French (Dr Victoria Bakulumpagi) , but as of today, am happy to leave even tomorrow because we now have five people teaching French. I call upon the teachers of French especially in Secondary school to encourage students to take up this language so that we can be able to get numbers at University level.”
She also expressed worry about the few number of qualified French teachers to join the University teaching staff. “In case you there and you have qualifications of a Masters and above, we are ready to offer you a vacancy even if it means tomorrow.”
Agather Tumwine Magezi , the President of Association des Professuers de Francaise en Ouganda (APFO) is the Association of Teachers of French in Uganda and a lecturer of French lecturer at Makerere University, revealed that their cleaning exercise around Banda was to signify that teaching French doesn’t only end in the classroom but also involves taking care of the neighboring communities.
“There is still shortage of lecturers in our universities in Uganda because , initially we didn’t have enough programs to train teachers of French at masters level.”
She further added that at Makerere University recently introduced a Masters program in French which is a great achievement towards increasing on the number of French teachers in the country.
Association des Professuers de Francaise en Ouganda is the Association of Teachers of French in Uganda since 1964
The association consists of over 400 teachers and Lecturers of French from various parts of the country.
This day is celebrated annually every last Thursday of the year and in Uganda being that it’s a working day, they decided to commemorate on a Saturday.
The theme for this year was “The role of teachers of French in the 21st century amidst Technological advancement.”
