Teachers under their umbrella Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) have defied government’s directives and strict orders issued to them to return to classes immediately or they lose their jobs.
In her letter to the UNATU secretary General, Catherine Bitarakwate the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service issued several directives to the striking teachers among which included returning to classes by 24th June 2022 or else be deleted from the payroll, those not contented with the directives to go to court.
Bitarakwate further ordered Chief Administrative Officers in every district to report any teacher who doesn’t return to class by 30th June 2022. In her letter which communicated government’s position on the strike, she also warned teachers against illegally closing schools.
However, in a turn of events and response to the government threats which has categorically said they’re no salary increments for arts teachers, UNATU General Secretary has ordered teachers to continue with their strike and not succumb to threats.
UNATU reiterates their industrial action is legally supported by the law and no teacher will be fired as threatened by the government and UNATU leaders haven’t yet been called for further negotiations.
According to Baguma, teachers will continue strike until their concerns are addressed. Arts teachers announced a sit down strike on one week ago after government increased salaries of science teachers to UGX4million and left art teachers without pay rise of less than UGX800,000.
UNATU leaders met president Museveni on Friday last week but failed to agree and decided to continue with their industrial action.
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“Teachers are too poor to strike” that man was right . Baguma you have shown your poverty to the public .