Members of Parliament across the political divide have told President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s government have emphatically told government to either bring a supplementary budget before the House or equally divide the available Shs95bn meant for enhancement of science teachers’ salaries among both arts and science teachers.
There was heated debate in the House as several MPs shredded Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa’s statement in which he repeated government’s position on the issues of arts teachers’ salary increment as well as all other demands by government employees.
Minister Muruli Mukasa made it clear to teachers of arts (humanities) subjects in secondary schools as well as all primary school teachers that they should forget about salary enchantment in the current financial years and wait for subsequent financial years.
In the ensuing debate as MPs reacted to the statement that was short of specifics, the people’s representatives expressed support for teachers, insisting that their industrial action was justified and that government should find the money to raise their salaries. (Read what several MPs said about increasing arts teachers’ salaries during the heated debate HERE).
That was not all, shadow education minister Brenda Nabukenya, who is also the Luweero District Woman MP, advised the government to either divide the available Shs95bn among all arts and science teachers or process a supplementary budget to enhance arts teachers’ salaries to the level of their science colleagues.
“The ministers should immediately provide to Parliament a report on the total number of arts and science teachers and the total amount of salary enhancement shortfall. Government should immediately present an amendment bill lo the appropriation Act for Parliament to provide additional financing for purposes of enhancing wages for all teachers including Arts teachers,” said Nabukenya as she presented the opposition’s official position on the matter during July 06’s plenary.
“Government should equitably allocate the monies budgeted for science teachers to benefit Arts Teachers as well, after all, Science Teachers have since 2012 been getting 30 per cent over and above their counterparts.”
The proposal for the processing of s supplementary budget to increase arts teachers’ salaries was first brought forward by a section of concerned MPs after Public Service Ministry Permanent Secretary Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire threatened to fire all striking arts teachers. (Read Story Here).
Meanwhile, Speaker Anita Among has appointed a committee to push for fair increment of all teachers’ salaries. (Read Story Here).
MORE STORIES ON UNATU ENDING STRIKE
Arts Teachers’ Strike Suspended after UNATU Meeting with Museveni
MORE STORIES ON OUR COVERAGE OF ARTS TEACHERS’ STRIKE & SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS
MORE ON SCIENCE TEACHERS’ SALARY INCREMENT
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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