By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has said the nationwide teachers strike is still on until government makes concrete assurances on their pay rise.
Filbert Baguma, the UNATU Secretary General revealed this yesterday, 29th June 2022 shortly after a three hour meeting with the Vice President, H.E Jessica Alupo.
“Obviously, there were attempts to say that meanwhile, as we negotiate, let the teachers go back and teach but we indicated that the teachers are hurt and disappointed and, therefore, just telling them to go to class without addressing their plight would not help much. That is why the industrial action continues while the negotiations are ongoing,” Mr Baguma said.
He added: “The only issue now is to make sure the negotiations are expedited so that we get a solution as soon as we can and have the learners resume studies. When you look at the harsh economic situation currently, how would you expect service delivery from a teacher earning Shs400,000? We are only looking at fairness to support and facilitate teachers to do their work.”
Baguma, however, said although they did not have adequate time to explain their issue in detail to President Museveni during a meeting held at State House in Entebbe last week, the Vice President offered them ample time to explain to her the issue in detail.
“The Vice President promised to deliver the teachers’ message to the President, who delegated her,” he said.
“Once you say you are prioritising teachers, then the priority should cut across all teachers. But when you say you are prioritizing teachers, and then you get a category of teachers, then you have segregated them and this does not end there because they are teaching in the same schools and teaching the same learners and, therefore, the effects go on. One is highly motivated, and another is completely demotivated and you expect students to pass?” he wondered.
Arts teachers went on strike on June 15 over salary enhancement.
The teachers have since been holding meetings with different stakeholders to address their issues in vain. The next meeting is expected to be hosted by the Ministry of Public Service tomorrow.
Mr Baguma also said the Vice President warned government officials against intimidating teachers who are currently on the strike.
“We agreed that intimidation is not the best way of solving the issue at hand and, therefore, the Vice President indicated that teachers should not be intimidated,” he said.
Mr Baguma said that they need Shs105b to cater for a salary increment for primary school teachers, while the annual bill for arts secondary school teachers is about Shs560b.
