Government has in what appears as a direct response to Science Teachers across the country who have started demonstrating over salary Increments, through the Ministry of Public Service informed them that their salaries won’t be increased now.
Today, a section of teachers in the Elgon region under their umbrella body of the Bugisu Science Teachers Federation officially laid down tools demanding the government honor its promises and increase their salaries.
“As the schools as across the country resume for term two studies we Science teachers in Mbale under our umbrella bugisu science teachers union have vowed not to return to school over salary increment,” they said
Nabirye Zeuria Damalie the General Secretary of BSTF told journalists that the government sat with a few of their leaders across the country yesterday and decided that at first they be paid 1million for diploma holders and Sh2m for a degree holder something which they don’t agree with.
However, in the May 6 letter seen by DaParrot, Minister Muruli Mukasa maintained the government position of paying the science Teachers between Shs1.4m and Ahs2.3m until the FY2023/24 when the salaries will be increased.
“Following a Stakeholders consultative meeting held on 6 May, 2022 at the Ministry of Public Service Boardroom, where you were in attendance, it was noted and resolved resolved that matters concerning the professional growth of Teachers be discussed further with the Ministry of Education and Sports; 4) Govemment is committed to harmonizing the salary of Science Teachers in FY 2023/2024 to Shs4,000,000/- (shillings four million only) for Graduate: Science Teachers and Shs3,000,000/-(shillings three million only) for Grade V Science Teachers,” reads part of the letter.
In the meeting that was also attended by members of the Uganda Professional Science Teachers Union (UPSTU), Minister Mukasa said that the government also commited to harmonizing the salaries of Laboratory Assistanty working in schools to the level of those working in other Sectors.
“Science Teachers and Laboratory Assistants who, conducting practical lessons will be compensated in accordance with the accidents while applicable Laws and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development The Ministry of Education commits to provide protective gear to the Teachers and Laboratory Assistants who conduct practical science lessons,” he said
“Govemment commits to remunerating Head Teachers and Deputy Headteachers with science qualifications similar to their science counterparts. This is in recognition of the additional teaching duties whereby they conduct science lessons besides the administrative roles that they have, government is committed to salary enhancement of Science Teachers and calls upon the UPSTU Leaders to urge their Members to halt the intended industrial action and continue to render services as the above matters are being addressed,” added
He is the letter notes that the Ministry of Public Service will work out the financial implications of paying Diploma Science Teachers and Graduate Science Teachers monthly salaries of between Shs1.4m and Shs2.3m respectively, in FY2022/23, “and submit the budget to Cabines on Monday 9 May, 2022 for consideration within the available resource envelope,”
“Professional Science Teachers should be recognized as scientists and be remunerated as such, Ministry of Education has adopted the scheme of service for Secondary School Teachers which is currently under implementation, in this regard over 200 Teachers have been promoted under the scheme,” he said
