On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day 2025, we join the global community in celebrating and reflecting on this year’s theme: “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.” as set by UNESCO. This theme highlights the essential shift from isolated teaching practices to a more collaborative model that emphasizes shared responsibility, mutual support, and continuous professional growth. Teaching is no longer an individual endeavor; it thrives when teachers collaborate, share best practices, and work together to innovate and solve challenges. As educators, we must embrace this collaborative mindset, not just within our classrooms, but across the entire educational system, from school leadership to policymakers.
One of the most powerful enablers of this collaboration is digital technology. As the Ministry of Education and Sports’ Digital Agenda Strategy 2024/25 – 2030/31 recommends, technology integration is not just about modernizing classrooms, but also about fostering a culture of collaboration. Digital platforms and tools have the potential to connect teachers across distances, bridging gaps created by geography, limited resources, or professional isolation.
Through digital platforms, virtual communities, and collaborative tools, teachers can engage in peer learning, knowledge-sharing, and joint problem-solving, no matter their location. However, the full potential of digital collaboration remains untapped in many parts of the country due to challenges in digital infrastructure, access, and skills.
At UPSTU, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration through technology-enabled solutions. We encourage the use of online platforms and digital tools to create spaces for continuous professional development, where teachers can connect, learn from one another, and share resources. The integration of ICT in education is not just about teaching students — it’s about building networks of educators who can grow and innovate together. By investing in digital skills training for our teachers and enhancing technology infrastructure, we can build a collaborative community that will drive positive change in the education sector.
Another powerful tool for collaboration is the cooperative movement. Cooperatives, such as the UPSTU Members’ SACCO, embody the core values of solidarity, shared responsibility, and mutual benefit. Through cooperatives, teachers can come together to pool resources, share knowledge, and support one another financially. At UPSTU, our SACCO has proven to be a valuable platform for fostering collaboration among members. By saving together and investing together, teachers have been able to access affordable credit, plan for their futures, and support their professional growth. Beyond financial support, cooperatives help teachers build a sense of community, where shared goals lead to collective success. The cooperative model empowers educators to invest in their own development, while simultaneously contributing to the broader goal of transforming education.
At UPSTU, we have taken significant steps to recast teaching as a collaborative profession. Through our initiatives such as the UPSTU Science Innovation Projects Competition and the ProDev Hour Program, we are fostering an environment of collective learning and innovation. The UPSTU Science Innovation Projects Competition initiative which we started this year, encourages teachers and students to exhibit innovative science projects, demonstrating the power of teamwork in solving real-world problems, while sharing their expertise, and contributing to the development of innovative educational practices. Our ProDev Hour provides an avenue for teachers to learn together, share experiences, and discuss new pedagogical strategies. These sessions bring teachers from across Uganda together to collaborate, fostering a culture of professional solidarity where the focus is not just on individual success, but on the collective improvement of the teaching profession.
Call to Action
As we continue to work towards a more collaborative profession, we urge various stakeholders to take action in key areas that will support and enhance collaboration across the education sector:
- To the Government / MoES:
- Increase investment in teacher professional development: Teachers must be equipped with the skills and resources they need to collaborate effectively, and this starts with providing opportunities for ongoing training in digital literacy, pedagogical innovation, and ICT integration.
- Ensure equitable access to digital tools: Invest in digital infrastructure and ensure that all teachers, particularly in rural areas, have access to reliable internet and devices for collaborative teaching and professional growth.
- Improve working conditions: Collaboration requires supportive environments. Adequate classroom resources, safe working conditions, and reasonable workloads are essential for fostering a culture of shared responsibility among teachers.
- To School Administrators:
- Foster a collaborative culture within schools by encouraging team-based teaching, peer mentoring, and shared leadership. Administrators should lead by example and create spaces for teachers to collaborate on curriculum development, lesson planning, and student support.
- Support the integration of technology in everyday teaching practices and encourage teachers to leverage digital tools for collaboration and professional growth.
- To Teacher Unions and Associations:
- Advocate for policies that promote collaboration at all levels, including national dialogue on teachers’ rights, salary equity, and resource allocation. Teacher unions must be at the forefront of pushing for professional networks that provide opportunities for teachers to learn from each other.
- Strengthen collaborative frameworks across unions to create a united voice for teachers, advocating for changes that benefit the profession as a whole.
- To Teachers:
- Embrace collaboration in all aspects of your professional practice. Engage in peer learning through programs like ProDev Hour, share best practices, and support your colleagues. Digital tools and online platforms provide an excellent opportunity to connect and learn from teachers beyond your local schools.
- Join and participate in cooperatives like UPSTU Member’s SACCO, where you can save together and grow together with colleagues to build a stronger financial base, access support, and invest in your professional growth.
As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day 2025, let us embrace the theme of collaboration not just as a concept but as a way of working, both in the classroom and in the broader education sector.
At UPSTU, we are committed to leading this change, and we call on all stakeholders — government, educators, school leaders, and unions — to work together in building a collaborative profession that truly serves the needs of both teachers and students.
Happy World Teachers’ Day 2025!
Dr. Aron Mugaiga
General Secretary
Dr. Vincent Elong
National Chairperson
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Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union