ALL TEACHERS MATTER: Arts Teachers’ STRIKE Begins Hours after Minister Kasaija Confirmed Salary Increment for Science Teachers

Arts teachers and other disgruntled teachers in primary and secondary schools across the country have begun their strike demanding salary increment a day after finance minister Matia Kasaija confirmed that science teachers, health workers and all scientists will have their salaries enhanced in the 2022-2023 Financial Year. 

In a statement issued by Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) Secretary General Filbert Bates Baguma last week, arts and other primary and secondary school teachers threatened to lay down their tools starting Wednesday, June 15, if their salaries are not increased.

A few hours after Minister Kasaija announced salary increment for only science teachers, health workers and scientists, leaving out arts teachers and primary school teachers, Unatu boss Baguma announced that their strike will start today.

Unatu leaders have now called on all teachers to stay our from schools and to mobilize their colleagues not to step in classrooms until their salaries have been enhanced just like their science colleagues have had their increased.

“Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) informs all members in every school and education institution that the industrial action against discriminatory salary enhancements begins on Wednesday June 15th, 2022,” read a notice issued by Baguma on June 14.

“Stay Home and Mobilize others to act. All teachers matter and therefore deserve an increment.”

In his budget speech read on Tuesday, Finance Minister Kasaija announced that the salaries of science teachers, scientists and health workers will be increased in a ‘very big’ way starting July 2022. (Read Story Here).

MORE ON SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS

In order to improve service delivery and end the challenge of strikes over low pay, President Museveni’s government has proposed huge salary increments for teachers, doctors and other employees starting July 2022. (Read Story Here)

The proposed increments have left many people wondering if government will really fulfill this pledge and increase salaries by very high amounts.

For example, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has argued that the promise of salary increment is just ‘another lie.’ (Read Story Here).

Finance Minister Matia Kasaija recently said the money for increasing teachers’, doctors’ and other civil servants’ salaries was available. (Read Story Here).

In August 2021, cabinet approved salary increment for teachers, doctors and other health workers. (Read Story Here).

See the salary structure that had been proposed for the current financial year here.

UPDATED LIST: See Salary Structure for All Government Workers

Meanwhile, an NRM MP has angered teachers after telling them they are too poor to go on strike. (Read Story Here).

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SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS: Museveni Cabinet Yet to Allow Public Service to Release New Salary Structure

WE’LL FIRE YOU: Museveni Government Gives Striking Nurses, Midwives Three Days to Return to Work or Lose Jobs 

CONFIRMED: Sweepers Included on List of Scientists Who Will Get Salary Increment Starting July 2022 (Watch Video)

MORE ON TEACHERS’ SALARY INCREMENT

IT’S OUR TIME TO EAT; YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN: Science Teachers Tell Their Arts Colleagues to Fight for Themselves as Government Promises Shs4m Monthly Salary Starting July 2022

GOOD NEWS: Museveni Cabinet Approves Shs4m Monthly Salary for Each Science Teacher Starting July 2022

The increment of science teachers’ salaries has caused chaos in schools as arts (humanities) teachers have announced a strike (beginning Wednesday, June 15, demanding salary increment. (Read Story Here).