Teachers’ boycott puts students in deep uncertainty

A guardian accompanies students travelling back to school yesterday. The start of third term is uncertain for government-aided schools because teachers have said they will not work unless government increases their salaries. PHOTO BY GEOFFREY SSERUYANGE  

Kampala. Students in public schools can expect a rugged start to the third term today after the national teachers union insisted its members would boycott classes despite a government plea that the strike be called off.

The teachers union announced the strike last week after government failed to find money to effect a 20 per cent pay increment although State authorities insist there is still room for dialogue.

In an interview on Saturday, Education minister Jessica Alupo said she expects the teachers to turn up in class today, adding that further action would only be taken depending on the opening day events.

“We expect that all teachers will report to their duty stations on Monday. Ministry of Finance has already sent capitation grant to schools to enable them start. In case they insist on their planned strike, I have decided to wait until that time,” Ms Alupo said.

The minister insisted that the teachers union had together with a technical committee headed by the Director of Budget, Mr Patrick Ochailap, gone through the 2013/14 budget and found no money to deduct to meet their demand.

However, the teachers union says close to Shs243 billion was identified largely from money meant for trips abroad, entertainment, food, newspapers and subscription for periodicals. 

To meet the teachers demand, the government needs USh130 billion.

The Uganda National Teachers Union’s secretary general, Mr James Tweheyo, yesterday said the strike would go on as planned, adding that they had set up a legal team to handle anybody intimidating teachers.

“Our position is strong. Nobody should accept to be intimidated. We are within the framework of the law. We welcome district education officers, chief administrative officers (CAOs) and resident district commissioners (RDCs), it is their time now to work,” Mr Tweheyo said, referring to the government directive that CAOs and RDCs ensure schools open and teachers are in class.

He added: “Let them go to schools and see the collapsing classrooms, incomplete structures and collapsing latrines. Let them see what they have not been able to see and we ask them to help the stranded children who will end up in school. For then we shall know they have started to work.”

If the strike happens, the most affected will probably be Primary Seven candidates in public schools whose national examinations are a month away. Past results have always shown better performance by candidates in private schools.

In her plea on Saturday, Ms Alupo asked the teachers “not to squander the future of these children (candidates) by ruining the whole academic year even when government is still with them on the table”.

She also noted that the call for a freeze on money for trips was unfair since government officials have to take part in international functions.

“I am going to Arusha (Tanzania) now for an international inter-ministerial education meeting which I head. Should government now start abandoning that? There are some (trips) which are mandatory. Those which are not were cut down in the last budget,” she said.

The minister said instead the Auditor General had been asked to assess the government payroll in search of ghosts—and if found—that money would then be diverted to teachers. “In the report, there is no money. 

We have recommended that a full payroll audit be done to remove ghosts. If these ghosts are found, only if, then shall we find money to pay them,” she said.