Uganda Education News: Teachers planning to resume strike ahead of first term

Ultimate Media

As the opening of first term for primary schools in Uganda nears, there is concern of possible disturbances following threats by teachers of primary schools to resume their strike.

The Ministry of educations and sports has announced that first term will begin on January 30^th 2011.

But teachers are not happy that the government failed to increase their salaries as the teachers demanded last year when they went on strike.

The teachers demanded for a 100% salary increment, as well as raising of the Pay as You Earn threshold from 130,000 to at least 400,000.

The government last year calmed down the teachers and promised to look into the matter. But President Museveni announced in his New Year message that his government will only manage a 15% salary raise for teachers in the next financial year, most of who currently earn about 200,000 Uganda shillings.

One of the members of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union, Joseph Ssewungu says he is championing the demonstration slated for the 30^th of this month, when the term officially kicks off.

Ssewungu says government’s promises of a salary increment in the next financial year are not enough since Parliament’s efforts to look for extra funds for the teachers were not successful.

He says unless something is done fast, poor pay will continue to affect the performance of students in Uganda.