By lucky Patrick
Government teachers in Uganda teaching art, have adamantly vowed not to teach until the issue of salary increment is considered.
Today, marks approximately the 7th day since teachers began their sit down strike. Pupils have as result resorted to remain in their homes , engaging in domestic work lamenting that when they go to school, they are not taught.
The strike
Wednesday last week, arts teachers under their Uganda National Teachers Union went to an industrial action protesting the discriminatory salary enhancement.
The increment is in favor of science teachers, yet both go through the same qualification and teach the same students especially in ordinary and primary levels.
Current picture at some schools
In his visit to a number of schools within Fort Portal Tourism City, Jubilee radio reporter established that pupils were playing in the school compounds during class hours, while those in classrooms had no teachers to attend to them.
Today morning, pupils of Bukwali primary school returned back home after waiting for teachers at school in vain.
According to the pupil’s opinion to our reporter, they would rather be home assisting their parents than being at school with no guided business.
At Kinyamasika Primary School, all teachers on the government payroll did not show up and according to the head teacher, Steven Gaki , the school is currently run by the seven teachers that are employed privately.
UNATU Reacts
Joseph Ruhweza, a teacher at Buhinga Primary School doubling as chairperson UNATU Fort portal city, says the industrial sit down action continues, unless the government honors their demand for salary increment.
Ugandan Government’s Decision
Recently, government resolved to increase the salaries of science teachers to the tune of 4 million shillings while the art teacher graduates were left to earn about seven hundred thousand Ug Shs.
The difference of close to 3.2 million as salary between arts teachers and science teachers, has been analyzed as an inconsideration by different people including politicians.
Last week, the deputy city mayor Fort Portal, Stella Marunga, encouraged all teachers to continue with their strike before asking them to work as team if government is to respond to their demand.
