BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
Leaders of the opposition political parties in Kasese district have expressed disappointment over the government’s alleged delay to respond to the demands for salary increment by the arts’ teachers across the country.
The leaders’ concerns come three days after primary school teachers from the government grant-aided institutions of learning have declined to report to their places of work for third term, arguing that the money given to them in form of salaries is not enough compared to the work that they do.
Today morning, the concerned opposition leaders including Saulo Maate of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and Bryans Basiisa of the National Unity Platform (NUP) among others argued that they were not happy with the government for allegedly keeping quiet even when schools have remained closed.
Mr. Maate wondered why the government had ignored the teachers despite their big role in the country.
Maate proposed that the government should immediately come up with an answer to the teachers’ plight so that they continue offering services to the learners who are almost sitting for their end of year examinations.
On his part, Mr. Basiisa suggested that the government should reduce the salaries given to the Members of Parliament and increase the emoluments of the teachers following their vital role in shaping the country’s development.
Alfred Kule Ikwera, the General Secretary for the Forum for Democratic Change, blamed the government for the disparities in salary payments of civil servants despite holding the same levels of education.
Livingstone Kato Zunguka, a member of the National Unity Platform called upon the government to expedite the process of handling the teachers’ issues for the benefit of the learners.
Mr. Wilfred Masereka Balinda, the Director at Infant Preparatory School in Kasese town says they have not been affected by the teachers’ industrial action. He appeals to his fellow teachers to negotiate with the government while attending to at least the P.7 candidates who are yet to do their final examinations.
ENDS