Headteachers in Mukono Encouraged to Embrace TELA Technology to Enhance Professionalism

Mukono- Head teachers and teachers from 187 primary schools in Mukono District have been urged to fully embrace the Teacher Effectiveness and Learner Achievement (TELA) system as a tool to improve professionalism, strengthen accountability, and enhance learning outcomes in schools.

This call was made by the Mukono District Inspector of Schools, Mawanda Robert Humphrey, while closing a district-wide workshop held at Bishop Senior School in Mukono. The training equipped head teachers and selected teachers with skills on how to upload school timetables into the TELA system using computers and smartphones, enabling effective supervision of teaching activities.

Mr. Mawanda emphasized that the TELA system will play a key role in ensuring teachers are present and actively engaged in classroom teaching. He noted that in the past, it was difficult to confirm whether teachers who reported to school conducted their lessons.

“With the TELA system, we shall be able to monitor whether a teacher was present and taught, present but did not teach, or absent altogether. This programme will help ensure teachers are present and actively teaching, support proper salary management, and improve overall performance in our schools,” Mr. Mawanda said.

He explained that once timetables are uploaded, the system’s “Time on Task” feature allows headteachers and education authorities to monitor whether teachers are adhering to their schedules and delivering lessons as required. This will also enable proper assessment, supervision, and timely follow-up to address gaps in teaching performance.

Mr. Mawanda expressed concern about the low number of first grades recorded in some schools and sub-counties, attributing part of the challenge to teacher absenteeism and inadequate supervision. He expressed optimism that the TELA system will help address these challenges and contribute to improved academic performance across the district.

During the workshop, Ms. Zansanze Salima from the Ministry of Education and Sports Call Centre Office highlighted that the TELA system is a digital innovation aimed at strengthening teacher effectiveness and improving learner achievement. She noted that the system generates accurate reports on teacher attendance, lesson delivery, and supervision, making it easier for education authorities to track performance.

She further explained that the initiative was supported by the World Bank following research which revealed that many primary school learners lose significant learning time due to teacher absenteeism in classrooms. The TELA project was therefore introduced to improve monitoring, enhance accountability, and ensure learners benefit fully from classroom instruction.

However, officials acknowledged several challenges affecting implementation, including lack of computers in many primary schools and limited computer literacy among some headteachers and teachers. Education authorities encouraged districts to invest in ICT training and infrastructure to ensure smooth implementation of the system.

Mr. Mawanda encouraged headteachers and teachers to cooperate fully, adopt the new technology, and use it as a tool to enhance professionalism and improve education standards across Mukono District.

The TELA training workshop marks a significant milestone in Mukono District’s efforts to integrate technology into education management and supervision. By enabling real-time monitoring of teacher attendance and classroom teaching, the system is expected to strengthen accountability, improve teacher performance, and enhance learner achievement.

Education leaders believe that with full cooperation from head teachers and teachers, the TELA system will help address teacher absenteeism, promote professionalism, and ultimately improve academic performance in primary schools. The initiative reflects the district’s commitment to ensuring quality education and better learning outcomes for all learners.