By Mary Asujo
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among wants the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business Robinah Nabbanja to present a comprehensive statement on the plight of teachers, detailing Government interventions and plans to address the matter holistically and sustainably.
The issue of teacher’s salary disparities in the public service sector was raised by Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal during a plenary session on Tuesday. Hon Cecilia said the salary disparities between Arts and Science teachers is real and should not be ignored, and it escalated into the recent industrial action by Arts teachers.
“There is even a situation where the salary of a science teacher doubles the one of the head teacher” Ogwang urged.
Opposition Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe said the selective salary enhancement for teachers was discriminatory in nature and has opened a pandora box as several other government workers may also resort to industurial action.
“Government is even on notice and we are likely to have many more including that from health workers.”
Nambeshe called the house to also prevail over the powers that be in the event that we do not have a salary remuneration Review Commission that could harmonize wages for public sector workers.
Striking teachers under their Umbrella Uganda National Teacher’s Union (UNATU) today agreed to end strike and go back to teaching following a meeting with the President at Kololo this week.
“We want to understand these claims of inequality because many of us here are not scientists but we are serving. The issue of salary disparities may have affect the country’s development” Among said.