Commissioner Teopista Birungi Mayanja was recently recognized with the “Order of the Golden Jubilee” medal of Uganda’s independence. In recognition of her work as a champion of women teachers who have made outstanding contributions to the education sector, Ms. Mayanjya was honored with this remarkable distinction.
Presented by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, her award citation reads as follows:
- First female teacher football referee to participate to the highest grade. (An inspiration to the girl children) and has demonstrated in all the schools and colleges where she has taught that the integration of Physical Education, sports and play is a magical learning tool.
- Founder of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union as a means of enlisting all teachers in their rightful role in the transformation of education.
- She has been known as the most resilient and passionate teacher advocate for the Public Education – especially for poor in the era of Education Privatization.
- She introduced the “Quality Education Campaign” popularly known as QPE and rallied the entire civil society to support, including all the Religious leaders and the National Parliament in 2010, an action which others called an “Industrial Action.” The campaign is growing stronger and stronger everyday.
- Founded the “Uganda Women in Sports Association” to advocate for the full participation of women and girls in all aspects of sports.
- Introduced the unique” Teacher Support Mechanism,” an innovative contributory savings scheme for teachers for development soft loans.
- Known for her daring results in areas many regarded impossible.
- A living model of a “successful professional” as a result of quality public education provided by the state. (Note that Teopista’s career was through Government aided vocational training which saw her graduate as a low Grade Primary Teacher at the age of 18 and grew through the ranks to where she is through the same government facilitated career growth.)
- The appointment to The Education Commission was viewed as a recognition of Teopista’s contribution globally and the entire teaching community in Uganda is proud of it.
Ms. Mayanja recently sat down with the Education Commission where she discussed the “need to put a lot of emphasis within our campaigns on education for coexistence, education for understanding, education which provides peace.” The full interview can be viewed here.
Together with the President and people of Uganda, the Education Commission congratulates Teopista on her award.
Commissioner Teopista Birungi Mayanja stands for a photo with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and her fellow award recipients.