Speaker Among directs government on teachers’ salary rise

“We need to have realistic immediate, medium and long-term intervention so that we can be able to resolve these issues, not doing things in an ad-hoc way,” Among said. 

By Awor Christine 

Lira – July 6, 2022:  The speaker of the 11th Parliament Annet Anita Among has directed the government should carefully study the grievances of arts teachers [subjects] and devise sustainable and realistic solutions.

Primary teachers and teachers of arts subjects in government-aided schools across the country went on a sit-down strike on 15 June, protesting what they called ‘discriminatory’ salary increment in favor of science teachers.

“We want to understand this kind of inequality. Not all of us are science people, but we are here. We all feel for the teachers and we must take action on this,” Among said. 

In her communication during the plenary sitting on July 5, 2022, Among asked the Prime Minister, Robina Nabanjja to make a statement on the government’s intervention to harmonize the salaries of teachers. 

“We need to have realistic immediate, medium and long-term intervention so that we can be able to resolve these issues, not doing things in an ad-hoc way,” she said. 

She also urged teachers to resume their duties, as government devises sustainable remedies.  

“We know what it means. It is not an easy thing but I believe the government is looking into it. We will stand with the teachers to ensure we support them but are mindful of the conditions in the country. We request that you go back and do your noble duty to support the young ones. 

Among added that Parliament will continue holding government accountable for their undertakings and resolutions. 

Dokolo district woman MP, Cecilia Atim Ogwal cited the need for the government to consider equality in salary increments. 

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“It is not about the Arts teachers striking, it is about equality. This is what we need to address and this should be addressed in compliance with the law of Equal Opportunity,” Atim said. 

She said there should be a clear definition as to why there are two structures of salary payment for teachers. 

“I am concerned with a situation where the Headteacher is an Arts teacher and you find the science teacher will earn double the salary of the head teacher. It already creates a disparity in the school,” Ogwal said. 

Chief Opposition Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe advised Parliament to deter such increments, since no salary and remuneration review commission is meant to harmonize wages of public servants. 

“We should avoid such scenarios that are infringing on rights of workers as per the constitution bill of rights. Equal pay for equal work done is a provision enshrined in our constitution,” Nambeshe said.

He said that the government report on the salary increment should be comprehensive and introduce the Pension Fund Bill for public sector workers.