GHOST TEACHERS ALERT: Number of Science Teachers Reportedly Inflated as Fight for Salary Increment Intensifies

The Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union (Upstu) has raised a red flag over the number of science teachers being considered for salary increment starting July 2022, the beginning of the next financial year.

Government has committed to increasing science teachers’ salaries to Shs4m and Shs3m monthly for graduate and diploma holders starting in the 2022-23 Financial Year. But recent media reports suggested that government is considering up to 20,000 science teachers.

This has left union leaders wondering where all that number came from. “Is someone inflating the numbers of science teachers to frustrate substantive pay enhancement? What a country! That government found out more science teachers than earlier anticipated? 20000 science teachers? Where are they?” read a concern posted on the Upstu official page.

The union estimates about 4,270 degree holders and 6,000 diploma holders, translating in 10,270 science teachers across the country.

It is not clear whether the 20,000 figure was just an inaccuracy by the media or if indeed government was planning for 20,000 science teachers. Concerned ministries like Public Service and Education dockets were yet to clarify on the matter.

Meanwhile, Upstu members and leaders have been thrown into panic after press reports claimed that they would only get a half of what they had earlier been promised.

But union secretary general Aron Mugaiga said he had learnt that the reports were simply rumors. “Science teachers across the country are requested to stay calm. Disregard the information that circulated in news papers yesterday about 50% pay enhancement for science teachers,” Mugaiga informed Upstu members.

“We shall continue to monitor the progress of the equitable implementation of the presidential directive. We reiterate that we will stand against marginalisation of scientists in education sector until we overcome.”

Last week, Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa was quoted as swearing that he will resign and have his right hand cut off if President Museveni’s government does not increase salaries of all scientists, including science teachers, starting July 2022. (Read Story Here).

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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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