The government has directed schools to officially open on Monday and that all teachers and head teachers should report for duty.
The directive comes a day after teachers under the Uganda National Teachers union declared industrial action as the new school term opens. The teachers are demanding their 10% salary increment as promised by the government in 2011.
In a press release signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry of education Dr. Rose Nassali Lukwago, the government admits that it has not effected payment of the 10 % and will only provide for this in the financial year 2016/2017.
However, she also maintains that out of 50% of the salary increment promised by Government, 40% has been paid, and in addition it has given 6.8 billion for teachers SACCOs as promised by the president.
She says the funds are to be collected by all teachers, urging them to report for duty
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SPORTS
PRESS RELEASE ON TEACHERS’ STRIKE OVER 10% SALARY INCREMENT
The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports understands and sympathizes with the teachers over the salary increment that has been delayed.
The Ministry wishes to remind our dear teachers and the public at large:
1. That out of 50% of the salary increment promised by Government, 40% has been paid.
2. In addition, Government has given 6.8 billion shillings for SACCO’s for every teacher in Uganda as promised by H.E The President of Uganda.As an education sector, Government, parents and learners expect results. This is so because these resources given to teachers so far were paid as agreed to achieve the following objectives:
So that teachers become more effective
So that teachers may be regular in school
So that learners may achieve competencies to excel in the region and effective in the job market.The UWEZO report shows that the best school in Uganda ranks 80th in position in the East African Region!
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.The Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports appeals to the teachers to embrace the funds made available to them through the Teachers SACCOs. The funds await being collected by all teachers.
The 10% salary increment as reported by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has not been effected yet, but will be effected in the subsequent financial year following the next financial year.
The Ministry of Education appeals to the teachers of this great Nation to the parents and the learners of this country after government has overwhelmingly demonstrated good will to all our teachers.The teachers and the public are informed that the school officially opens on Monday 18th May 2015. All teachers and head teachers are therefore expected to report to their duty stations as expected of their profession.
Dr. Rose Nassali Lukwago
PERMANENT SECRETARY
