By Alfred Opio
Head teachers in Pallisa District have been cautioned against centralising roles and responsibilities within their schools, a practice that education authorities say is undermining efficiency and staff development.
The warning was issued by the District Education Officer (DEO),Mr Ronald Omutujju , during an engagement meeting with head teachers held at Kalaki Primary School.
Omutujju expressed concern that some head teachers are taking on too many responsibilities that should otherwise be delegated to other members of staff. He noted that such tendencies not only overburden school administrators but also deny other teachers the opportunity to grow professionally and contribute meaningfully to school management.
❝ “It has come to our attention that some head teachers want to control almost every aspect of the school, from academics to administration and even co-curricular activities. This approach is not sustainable and it limits teamwork. Schools function better when duties are shared and when every teacher is given a role to play.” ❞
— Ronald Omutujju
According to the DEO, effective delegation fosters accountability, improves performance, and builds leadership capacity among teachers. He added that when responsibilities are distributed appropriately, it becomes easier to monitor progress and identify areas that need improvement.
Omutujju also emphasized that centralisation of duties often leads to delays in decision-making and inefficiency. He pointed out that in some schools, simple tasks take longer to accomplish because everything must go through the head teacher.
❝ “In modern education management, leadership is about coordination, not control. Head teachers should trust their staff and empower them to handle different responsibilities. This will improve service delivery and ultimately benefit the learners.” ❞
— Ronald Omutujju
The warning has sparked mixed reactions among teachers across the district, with some welcoming the directive while others expressed reservations.
One teacher from a government primary school in Kibale Sub-county supported the DEO’s stance, saying that delegation creates a sense of ownership among staff members.
❝ “When a head teacher assigns duties to us, we feel trusted and motivated to perform better. It also helps us to gain experience in leadership, which is important for career growth.” ❞
— Teacher
Another teacher echoed similar sentiments, noting that centralisation often leads to frustration among staff.
❝ “There are times when you have ideas that could improve the school, but you are not given the chance to implement them because everything is controlled from the top. Delegation would allow teachers to be more innovative and proactive.” ❞
— Teacher
However, not all teachers agreed with the directive. Some argued that the nature of certain schools, especially those with limited staff, makes it difficult to fully decentralise responsibilities.
A teacher from a rural school in Opwateta Sub-county pointed out that understaffing is a major challenge.
❝ “In some schools, we are very few teachers handling many classes and responsibilities. The head teacher sometimes has no option but to take on multiple roles to ensure the school runs smoothly.” ❞
— Teacher
Another teacher raised concerns about accountability, suggesting that not all staff members are reliable enough to handle delegated duties.
❝ “While delegation is good, it requires a committed team. In cases where some teachers are not serious with their work, the head teacher may feel compelled to take charge of everything to maintain standards.” ❞
— Teacher
Despite the differing opinions, education officials insist that a balance must be struck. Omutujju acknowledged the challenges faced by schools but maintained that even in difficult circumstances, some level of delegation is necessary.
He urged head teachers to identify the strengths of their staff and assign roles accordingly, while also providing guidance and supervision where needed. He further called on teachers to embrace responsibility and demonstrate professionalism in their duties.
The district education office has pledged to conduct regular monitoring and support visits to schools to ensure compliance with the directive. Training sessions on leadership and management are also expected to be rolled out to equip head teachers with skills in effective delegation.
As Pallisa District continues to strive for improved education standards, stakeholders believe that fostering teamwork and shared responsibility within schools will play a crucial role in achieving better outcomes for learners.
