Dokolo Ranked Lowest in Uganda for TELA Machine Use

By Nasuru Hassan Ocen

Dokolo District has been ranked the worst-performing district in Uganda for implementing the Teacher Effectiveness and Learner Achievement (TELA) system—a Ministry of Education and Sports digital tool used to monitor teacher attendance and learner registration.

This revelation was made during a performance review meeting held at the Dokolo District Council Main Hall on June 22, 2025, attended by head teachers, education officers, and TELA program managers.

Andrew Ocola, a TELA official, reported that Dokolo scored the lowest nationally, with most of its schools showing little or no usage of the system.

“Out of the 60 government-aided primary schools in Dokolo, only a few used the TELA machine, and even those recorded dismal numbers,” said Ocola. He listed Akolodong P/S (8.5%), Angwecibange P/S (0.4%), Okwongodul P/S (0.4%), and Kwera P/S (0.1%) as the only schools with recorded data. The rest scored 0%.

Secondary schools performed only slightly better. Agwata SS registered 3.4%, Kangai SS (3.3%), St. John Bosco SS (4.1%), while Dokolo Girls SSS and Kwera SSS posted zero activity.

Ocola blamed the poor performance on limited digital skills, lack of training, and resistance from head teachers. He also criticized cases where unqualified individuals such as school guards were registered instead of SMC or PTA members.

Several head teachers, including Betty Agweng of Iguli Primary and Katherine Docus Ayuru of Angwecibange P/S, cited challenges like poor network coverage, system malfunctions, and lack of training.

“We haven’t received adequate training. Sometimes, the machines break down or fail to connect, and we don’t know how to troubleshoot,” said Ayuru.

 David Eryatu,the district expressed concern and urged school leaders to take responsibility for this new government initiative.