Teachers reject 15% payrise

Feb 03, 2012

THE 15% salary increment promised to teachers next financial year is insignificant and will not improve their standards of living, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union has said

By Francis Kagolo and Patience Kengoro

THE 15% salary increment promised to teachers next financial year is insignificant and will not improve their standards of living, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union has said.

The union chairperson, Margaret Rwabushaija and general secretary Teopista Birungi insisted that teachers’ salary increments should not just be offered, but collectively negotiated between the Government and the union.

The officials were reacting to education minister Jessica Alupo’s statement on the progress the Government has made in resolving teachers’ grievances following last year’s strike.

Acknowledging that the Government was committed to enhancing salaries of all public servants, Alupo on Monday said teachers would get a 15% payrise next financial year and another 20% in 2013/2014.

At the end of three financial years, she said the salaries will have been increased by 60% and the lowest paid teacher will be earning sh360,000, up from the current sh250,000.

Alupo, however, noted that the teachers’ demand to have the Pay As You Earn threshold increased from sh130,000 to sh260,000, will not be tenable as it would affect revenue collection.

Addressing journalists at the Teachers’ House in Kampala, Birungi demanded that Alupo explains the 15% increment to the public.

She said not addressing teachers’ grievances was detrimental to the quality of Uganda’s education and scoffed at wealthy Government officials who take their children to private schools.

Birungi applauded the Government for recognising the various trade unions in the country through agreements signed last October.

She commended the Government for reviving the teachers’ scheme of service.

But Birungi expressed disappointment that the benefits of the recognition agreements were being undermined by the Government’s exclusion of teachers from the negotiation process.

She also accused the Government of “forcing” teachers to go back to schools when they had resolved to lay down their tools last year.

“Using force will not help our education system and national development,” Birungi said.

“How can the Government tell that teachers actually teach when they go to their respective schools?” she asked

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