Government has asked teachers to remain calm and committed to doing their work saying that discussions are underway to address the issues behind their ongoing strikes.
Earlier this week, arts’ teachers, under their umbrella body, the Uganda National Teacher Union (UNATU) kicked off their industrial action protesting what they termed as “discriminatory salary enhancement of teachers.
With this, many teachers have gone on a sit down strike with several schools now also forced to send their pupils back home.
Responding to this however, the minister of Public Service Muruli Mukasa said government is aware of the discomfort from the arts’ teachers but said they are organising a dialogue meeting to resolve the matter.
Muruli noted that so far, several meetings have been held in presence of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Public Service, Attorney General and Solicitor General to agree on the way forward regarding the issues raised by all teachers.
He said government plans to enhance pay of all workers including the teachers but said this will only be done in a phased manner due to limited resources such as funds.
“The education sector had picked up momentum from the 2-year lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic thus giving hope to our learners and preparing them for the future. It should be noted that as obliged government was consistent in promptly paying monthly salaries for all teachers during the two year lockdown period,” Muruli said.
“Government is further aware of previous discussions with the leadership of the teacher’s union and is committed to the plan of enhancing the pay of workers in a phased manner depending on the availability of resources,” he added calling on teachers to suspend their strike.