First Lady to meet striking arts teachers over salary increment

The government has asked teachers under the Uganda National Teachers' Union to suspend their industrial action and get back to class as dialogue is organised to discuss a way forward.

The call was made by the minister of Public Service Muruli Mukasa shortly after teachers of arts subjects went on strike over a pending salary increment on June 15.

[embed]https://nilepost.co.ug/2022/06/14/opinion-why-every-arts-teacher-must-not-step-in-class-starting-june-15/[/embed]

Yesterday, several government-aided schools closed and children were sent back home.

The strike by arts teachers comes a month after science teachers resumed work after industrial action.

Muruli said government is aware of the grievances of the arts teachers and is doing all it can to address them.

"The education sector had picked up momentum from the 2-year lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic thus giving hope to our learners and preparing them for the future. It should be noted that as obliged government was consistent in promptly paying monthly salaries for all teachers during the two year lockdown period," he said.

Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Mukasa said the government has held a series of meetings comprising the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Public Service, Attorney General and Solicitor General to agree on the way forward regarding the issues raised by teachers.

"Government is further aware of previous discussions with the leadership of the teacher’s union and is committed to the plan of enhancing the pay of workers in a phased manner depending on the availability of resources," he said.

He revealed that the minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni had called for a meeting with the teachers' union leaders on Friday, 17th June 2022, at which a way forward will be agreed.

He called upon all teachers to return to class.