Teachers want Govt relief food

May 18, 2020

The non-payment of salaries for March and April to teachers in private schools has grossly worsened their condition.

HEALTH  VIRUS  RELIEF

KAMPALA - The National Union of Science Teachers and Allied Scientists of Uganda (NUSST) has asked government to include teachers on the list of those receiving relief food during this COVID-19 period.

According to Stanley Bamuteze, the general secretary of the union, the non-payment of salaries for March and April to teachers in private schools has grossly worsened their condition considering the continued extension of the lockdown period.

"Some teachers last got salary in February. We are now in May and they have no money which has left them and their families to suffer," he said.

"Therefore, NUSST wishes to request Government to give special consideration to the teachers especially those in private schools while distributing food," he appealed.

NUSST was formed in 2018 after Parliament had turned down a presidential directive of enhancing salaries of science teachers. NUSST offers legislative services to better the livelihood and working conditions of science teachers and allied scientists.

NUSST urges government to establish a teacher-friendly policy to enable teachers of Uganda to enjoy their profession.

"This may help in considering a reasonable increment of teachers' salaries and directing the private schools to at least pay a reasonable percentage of what government is paying for a given qualification of a teacher," Bamuteze said.

‘'We want to thank President Yoweri Museveni for stressing the need to enhance science teachers and scientists salaries.

We call upon Members of Parliaments to support this since it causes national development through science education,'' Bamuteze said. 

NUSST is also pushing for the establishment of a teacher livelihood improvement fund. "We ask UNATU as the union that has been in existence to return at least a tenth of the 1% they have been deducting to the teachers to enable them to survive through this lockdown period," he said.

Bamuteze also wants government to prioritize teachers' welfare in all conditions good or bad so as to protect the education sector as no nation is greater than its education system.

NUSST however, demands government to expedite the registration of the labour union as this will ably bring to limelight the welfare issues of the science teachers.

"It will also suggest workable solutions for better management. Remember the best investment involves planting young people that can yield results for a lifetime," he said.

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