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Government begs teachers to call off strike

Written by Sadab Kitatta Kaaya

 Last Updated: 18 May 2015

 

A teacher attending to her students in Kasese

At the weekend, the ministry of education made a last-ditch appeal to teachers to call off their planned countrywide strike due to start on Monday.

The strike, which coincides with the opening of the schools' second term, was announced on Thursday, May 14, by the teachers in protest at the government's failure to deliver the promised 10 per cent pay raise.

In a statement released on Saturday, Permanent Secretary Rose Nassali-Lukwago urged the teachers not be blinded by government's failure to pay the final 10 per cent salary increment in the next financial year because it had already done much more for them.

"The ministry understands and sympathizes with the teachers over the salary increment that has been delayed," Lukwago said in the statement.

"The ministry wishes to remind our dear teachers and the public at large that; out of 50 per cent of the salary increment promised by government, 40 per cent has been paid; in addition, Shs 6.8bn has been put in Saccos for every teacher in Uganda," she added.

Nassali-Lukwago further said that such incentives had been extended to teachers because the government, parents and learners expect results.

"The people of Uganda, the parents of the students in Ugandan schools, the learners, and the stakeholders in Uganda must get value for money. As teachers take, Ugandans expect to be given back," she said.

The prime minister, Ruhakana Rugunda, the minister of Public Service Henry Kajura and that of Education Jessica Alupo also called a press conference on Saturday afternoon to make a final appeal against a teachers' strike.

During a meeting of the Unatu district chairpersons last week, James Tweheyo, the UNATU general secretary, accused the government of reneging on its promise.

Tweheyo urged teachers to stay away from schools as the second term begins on May 18 until the 10 per cent salary increment has been paid. In her statement, Nassali-Lukwago said the increment will be paid next financial year. She also urged the teachers to utilise the funds government made available for them through their Saccos.

sadabkk@observer.ug

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower

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