After six years of teaching Biology and Agriculture in private secondary schools in Mityana District, Lawrence Kabanda left the classroom in search of financial stability.
Struggling to meet his needs on a teacher's salary and sometimes forced to borrow money, he turned to crop farming and livestock rearing. Today, he says agriculture earns him more than teaching did, although he has not ruled out returning to the profession.
At Off Grid Farms in Kakungube, Kassanda District, Kabanda spends much of his time tending to crops and managing livestock, a life far removed from the classroom where he once taught students about the agricultural practices he now relies on for a living.
Kabanda taught Biology and Agriculture for six years at several secondary schools in Mityana District, including Elites College Mityana, St Lawrence Secondary School Mityana and Citizen High School Musaba.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
Although he valued his profession, he says his earnings were often insufficient to meet his financial obligations. He sometimes borrowed money to cover his expenses, making it difficult to achieve the stability he desired.
The COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted economic activities and forced schools to close, further exposed the uncertainties surrounding his livelihood.
As the financial pressure mounted, Kabanda began reconsidering his future in teaching. He eventually decided to put his agricultural knowledge to practical use by establishing an alternative source of income.
In 2024, after six years in the classroom, he left teaching and ventured into farming.
"I reached a point where I realised that the money I was earning from teaching was not enough to meet my needs. Sometimes I had to borrow money to survive, yet I had responsibilities to fulfil. I started thinking seriously about what I could do to improve my financial situation," Kabanda says.
Turning Classroom Knowledge Into Income
Kabanda's move into agriculture was not a complete departure from his previous career. Having taught Biology and Agriculture, he already had a foundation of knowledge that he could apply to his own enterprise.
He initially concentrated on crop farming before expanding into livestock rearing, gradually building a livelihood outside the formal education system.
At Off Grid Farms, where he now spends much of his time, agriculture has become his main source of income. He says the transition came with uncertainties but has so far proved financially rewarding.
According to Kabanda, his monthly earnings from farming now exceed what he previously received as a teacher, strengthening his confidence in the decision to change careers.
"I used to spend the month waiting for my salary, but even after receiving it, the money was not enough to cover all my needs. That is what pushed me to try farming. Today, I earn more than I did in teaching, and I do not regret the decision I made," he says.
For Kabanda, farming offers an opportunity to apply the knowledge he acquired and passed on to students while pursuing his financial goals.
However, he acknowledges that agriculture is not without challenges. It requires commitment, patience and continuous effort, and he remains determined to grow his enterprise and explore further opportunities in the sector.
His experience highlights how financial pressures can influence career decisions among workers in the education sector, particularly those employed by private schools.
For some teachers, salaries that fall short of their financial responsibilities can make alternative sources of income increasingly necessary.
Rev. Kenneth Kabanda, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer responsible for education in Mityana District, says the departure of teachers from the profession has previously presented challenges.
He noted that the government had been making efforts to improve teachers' welfare and address difficulties affecting their working conditions.
Lawrence Kabanda, however, believes that salary increases alone may not resolve all the financial challenges teachers face. He argues that their earnings should be sufficient to meet personal and family responsibilities while allowing them to plan for the future without repeatedly relying on loans.
"Improving teachers' salaries is important, but their financial responsibilities must also be considered. A teacher needs to earn enough to meet personal and family needs without constantly struggling or borrowing money. In my case, I had to look for another way to earn a living," he says.
A Possible Return to Teaching
Despite leaving the classroom in 2024, Kabanda has not completely ruled out returning to the profession.
His experience in farming has attracted the interest of other farmers seeking to learn from his practices. Some have approached him for guidance, prompting him to consider sharing his knowledge through teaching while continuing to manage his agricultural enterprise.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
For someone who once taught Agriculture to secondary school students, the prospect of sharing practical farming skills offers a way to reconnect with the profession from a different perspective.
"I have not completely ruled out returning to teaching. Many farmers are interested in learning about what I do, and some have approached me for guidance. If an opportunity comes along, I would consider teaching again while continuing with my farming activities," Kabanda says.
For now, he remains focused on agriculture, the path he chose when his teaching salary could no longer meet his needs.
His journey from the classroom to the farm illustrates how financial pressures can push workers to reconsider their careers, while also demonstrating how existing skills can provide a foundation for alternative livelihoods.
For Kabanda, leaving teaching was not simply about abandoning a profession. It was a search for a more sustainable livelihood, built on knowledge he already possessed and a willingness to apply it in a different way.
