MPs back teachers’ demands
Jul 21, 2011
MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly backed teachers’ demands for 100% salary increment. In a meeting with the teachers’ union at Parliament, MPs on the social services committee decried the appalling living conditions of teachers and demanded that the Government revisit their salaries
By Mary Karugaba
MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly backed teachers’ demands for 100% salary increment. In a meeting with the teachers’ union at Parliament, MPs on the social services committee decried the appalling living conditions of teachers and demanded that the Government revisit their salaries.
The MPs, however, pleaded with the teachers not to go on strike, saying their issues would be addressed at least by October.
“We are concerned about your plight, but we promise to handle your issues with all the stakeholders as soon as possible. Parliament will handle your issues immediately it is through with the budget process,†committee chairperson Sam Lyomoki explained.
Primary school teachers want a minimum of sh450,000 per month. Currently, on average, a primary school teacher earns sh260,000 monthly, while secondary schools teachers earn about sh450, 000.
Tutors in primary teachers’ colleges earn sh350,000 while those at national teachers’ colleges earn an average of sh500,000 a month.
The committee members said the teachers’ demands were reasonable and Parliament had powers to relocate funds from within the budget to address their issues.
In an eight-page document, the teachers said they wanted the Government to increase their salary by 100% or increase the minimum threshold for Pay as You Earn (PAYE) from sh130,000 to sh260,000.
The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) president, Margaret Rwabushaija, told MPs that in the current economic situation, where inflation is skyrocketing, teachers’ salaries were unrealistic and too low to meet their basic needs.
“For a teacher to survive in the current market conditions, the Government should consider a PAYE tax waiver on all teachers’ salaries so that at least teachers can remain with a reasonable net pay,†Rwamushaija said.
She told the committee that teachers in Kenya and Tanzania earn more and asked why Ugandan teachers could not be paid well.
MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly backed teachers’ demands for 100% salary increment. In a meeting with the teachers’ union at Parliament, MPs on the social services committee decried the appalling living conditions of teachers and demanded that the Government revisit their salaries.
The MPs, however, pleaded with the teachers not to go on strike, saying their issues would be addressed at least by October.
“We are concerned about your plight, but we promise to handle your issues with all the stakeholders as soon as possible. Parliament will handle your issues immediately it is through with the budget process,†committee chairperson Sam Lyomoki explained.
Primary school teachers want a minimum of sh450,000 per month. Currently, on average, a primary school teacher earns sh260,000 monthly, while secondary schools teachers earn about sh450, 000.
Tutors in primary teachers’ colleges earn sh350,000 while those at national teachers’ colleges earn an average of sh500,000 a month.
The committee members said the teachers’ demands were reasonable and Parliament had powers to relocate funds from within the budget to address their issues.
In an eight-page document, the teachers said they wanted the Government to increase their salary by 100% or increase the minimum threshold for Pay as You Earn (PAYE) from sh130,000 to sh260,000.
The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) president, Margaret Rwabushaija, told MPs that in the current economic situation, where inflation is skyrocketing, teachers’ salaries were unrealistic and too low to meet their basic needs.
“For a teacher to survive in the current market conditions, the Government should consider a PAYE tax waiver on all teachers’ salaries so that at least teachers can remain with a reasonable net pay,†Rwamushaija said.
She told the committee that teachers in Kenya and Tanzania earn more and asked why Ugandan teachers could not be paid well.