The Minister for ICT and Information, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has urged parents and teachers to dismiss social media announcements advising against the resumption of school on February 5, 2023.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Center on Tuesday, Baryomunsi addressed concerns raised by teacher’s unions and associations that circulated warnings of an industrial action over welfare issues.
Despite acknowledging the legitimacy of the concerns, Baryomunsi emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing pay for all civil servants.
He clarified that the salary enhancement process had already commenced, with the initial focus on scientists, including science teachers and health workers. The minister explained that the prioritization of sciences was due to the government’s capacity constraints and the significant role science plays in socio-economic transformation.
“Arts and Humanities are equally important . let me say again that government is committed to enhancing the pay of all public servants, teachers inclusive but cabinet made a decision to space this enhancement and we begun with scientists because the resource envelope couldn’t accommodate all civil servants at once but also to demonstrate the importance of science in facilitating social economic transformation,” he stated
Baryomunsi assured that the government remains committed to addressing salaries for those in the Arts and Humanities field in the second phase of enhancements. He urged teacher’s unions to engage in civilized discussions rather than resorting to disruptive activities, encouraging head teachers and school managers to resume normal activities when schools reopen.
“I appeal to leaders of teacher’s unions and associations to engage government in a civilized manner instead of resorting to disruptive activities” said Baryomunsi
This development follows a flyer circulating on social media, allegedly from the Uganda National Teachers Association (UNATU), announcing a nationwide strike from February 5, 2024.
UNATU’s General Secretary, Filbert Baguma, clarified that the association did not originate the announcement, urging the public to disregard it.
Baguma emphasized UNATU’s ongoing negotiations with the government regarding salary increases and acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by teachers. Despite the issues, UNATU has not declared any industrial action, and discussions with the Minister of Education, Janet Kataha Museveni, are in progress.
The strike disrupted learning and prompted the President to assure addressing concerns for other teachers as additional funds become available.