Sh122b earmarked for primary teachers' pay rise

A total of sh122b has been earmarked to cater for the last instalment in fulfilment of governments' promise to increase teachers' salaries by 50 per cent.

It all started five years ago in August 2011, when government pledged to give teachers a 50% pay rise in a phased manner, spread over a period of three financial years.

This indicates that the salary of the least paid teacher will be increased to sh321, 016 from the old salary of sh279, 145.

Presenting the budget the finance minister designate Matia Kasaija said that the first instalment of 15 per cent was paid primary school teachers in the 2012/13 financial year. Science teachers in post primary education and training institutions received a 30 per cent increase in wages that year.

In order to justify the increment, teachers have also been warned against absenteeism.

"School teachers, including head teachers must forthwith desist from absenteeism, late reporting and early departure from work," the minister said.

A 20 per cent pay raise for teachers was paid last financial year, increasing the least salary from sh227, 240 to sh279, and 145.

The pledge followed a countrywide strike by teachers who laid down their tools, demanding a 100 present salary rise. They however, called off their strike after the then Premier Amama Mbabazi threatened that they would be deleted from payroll.