Arts teachers' representatives petition Speaker Among over pay dispute

___________________

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has directed the parliamentary Committee on Education to come out of recess and address issues concerning the salaries of arts teachers.

The directive follows a petition presented to the Speaker by teachers affiliated with the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), led by spokesperson Filbert Baguma, who raised concerns over salary discrepancies.

Baguma noted that on June 22, 2018, UNATU and other public service unions signed a collective bargaining agreement with the government, which clearly outlined salary enhancements for subsequent years, including the financial year 2019/2020.

He added that since 2022, UNATU has sent more than 12 formal letters, issued multiple reminders, and participated in several consultative forums with no tangible results.

In their petition, the teachers accused the Government of violating the 2018 collective bargaining agreement, which had promised salary enhancements for both science and arts teachers. 

They argued that it is unfair that their colleagues teaching science subjects have already received salary increases of over 300% in a single installment.

Speaker Among, however, urged the teachers to remain patient and return to classrooms, assuring them that the matter would be addressed. 

She reminded them that Parliament plays a key role in appropriation and pledged to ensure funds are allocated for arts teachers.

She also promised the establishment of a salary review commission to harmonise teacher salaries across the country.

We are going to write to the responsible minister and ask him to constitute a commission for this, but that will be in the long term," Among said.

Baguma, however, expressed cautious optimism, saying their hopes rest solely on the Speaker, noting that they were once part of the same committee she is now sending them to, and no progress had been made.

The teachers also rejected proposals to unify them with other government employees for a 25% salary increase, insisting that their pay review should follow the model applied to science teachers.

Speaker Among urged the teachers to remain calm, return to classes, since soon they are participating in the upcoming national budget process.

Following her remarks, Baguma said they would confer among themselves and make a collective decision.

It is important to note that since the term began on 15th August, arts teachers have not resumed teaching, citing dissatisfaction with the government over their salaries.