Striking Teachers pay deaf hears to barking govt

By Ben Musanje

27^th June 2022

Classes have remained under lock and key despite the government pressure on teachers to return to class or risk losing their jobs.

Last week, teachers under the Uganda National Teachers Union laid down their tools to compel the government to give them equitable pay across the board.

Despite the strike, some schools remained open and allowed the learners to play around the compound.

Even head teachers continued reporting to schools. However, the situation was different this Monday morning. Many of the schools from different parts of the country were empty without learners.

Even some of the head teachers were not around the school.

This comes amidst threats from Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Service, the Vice President Jessica Alupo, and the Minister of ICT and National Guidance Chris Baryomunsi to scrap the teachers off the payroll unless they return to class.

In a circular dated June 22^nd 2022 addressed to teachers last week, Bitarakwate gave the striking teachers an ultimatum to return to duty in two days or resign from duty that is June 24^th 20022.

According to Bitarakwate, teachers who would abscond from duty after the two days would automatically be considered absent and risk being scrapped off the payroll.

She asked Chief Administrative Officers and town clerks to carry out inspections and take note of the teachers who are absent.

The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) leadership through its general secretary, Filbert Baguma has insisted that teachers will continue with their industrial action despite government’s threats and intimidation.

He says their strike is legal adding that it is unconstitutional for the government to sack them but hastened to add that they have aligned a team of lawyers and volunteers to come and defend the rights of the teachers.

On June 15, teachers mainly from public schools countrywide laid down their tools protesting what they termed discriminatory salary enhancements.

The strike followed the government’s proposal to increase science teachers’ salaries by over 300% while those of arts and primary teachers were not considered.

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