Upcountry teachers join strike as schools’ paralysis takes toll

On Monday, most primary teachers up-country had ignored the ongoing industrial action over Government’s resolution to stay payment of the 10% raise on their salary by a year. 

Just a day gone by, all that has changed; record numbers of upcountry teachers have now joined their colleagues in Kampala to lay down their tools, until their umbrella body, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) and Government reach a deal.

This has given rise to paralysis in most schools across the country. Children turned-up in class, but resorted to playing games and singing rhymes- as teachers shunned classrooms, notwithstanding pleas by administrators for them to teach.

In many a school, teachers reported promptly, signed in the attendance book and; either lazed around in the staffroom, or returned home. Occasionally, pupils followed suit and returned home.

Across the country, there was general rise in absenteeism among pupils- just like their teachers.

However, meals for both teachers and pupils were never in short supply. In fact, in some schools, teachers and pupils took leave shortly after meals.

Although there was sign of life in many of the schools visited by New Vision On Tuesday, in some, classrooms and offices remained under lock.

Ghost schools across the country were suggestive of the toll the strike that started on Monday is taking on Uganda’s primary education system.

Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda carries on asking teachers to offer lessons- as Government and UNATU seek a deal over.

But Margaret Rwabushaija, the UNATU Chairperson maintains that the industrial action is still on, until all the 138 chairperson of teachers across the country who voted for it resolve to call it off.

Government led by Rugunda, and UNATU inclusive of its national executive council and the 138 branch chairpersons meet tomorrow in an attempt to find a lasting solution to their disparity over the 10% teachers’ salary increment.

In the midst of all this, most secondary schools across the country are functioning routinely.

Mbale

Many teachers in Mbale insist that they will not teach unless UNATU tells them to.  They said even though their respective schools taught On Tuesday, they won’t do it no more.

 “Government should understand that we are now serious. Let them use the RDCs to teach,” said a male teacher who declined to reveal his identity for fear of reprisal from RDCs.

“We are not going to be subjected intimidations from Government as poverty becomes part of the Ugandan teacher.”

However, there was normalcy in schools like Mbale SS, Nkoma S.S, North Road Primary School and Nabuyonga Primary School.

Soroti

On Tuesday, Soroti registered one of the highest cases of absenteeism (among teachers and pupils) in its recent history. Five out of the seven schools our reporter visited in Soroti Municipality looked deserted.  In schools like Fr. Hilders, and Pamba, no pupil and teacher was sighted by 10:00am.

In Rock View Primary school, the head teachers’ office was open, but unoccupied. Our reporter only found an open visitors’ book on the table.

In Kichinjaji, Moru Apesur and Akisim primary Schools, it was only P.7 candidates were sighted goofing off. At Akisim primary school, only two student teachers were seen.

However, in secondary schools around Soroti, all seemed normal.

Kasese

Most schools in Kasese municipality were forced to send their pupils back home after teachers failed to report.

“I could not manage to handle the pupils alone,” said Pascal Kiroro, the head teacher of Road Barrier Primary School.

At St. Joseph Primary School, the gate remained closed and all the pupils who turned up had to return home.

The district Education Officer, George Mayinja said they eventually asked head teachers to remain at schools and monitor the situation.

Kampala

Pupils at Ntinda Primary School stayed home On Tuesday. In fact, there was no sign at the school that the new term had begun; the desks were disorganised. No teacher was sighted here.

The few pupils who reported at Police Children Primary School in Naguru revised their books as teachers failed to teach them.

At East Kololo Primary School, children were left to ‘hang around’ as teachers disappeared into thin air, shortly after registering in the attendance book.

There was a low turnout of pupils at Railway Children Primary School, Nsambya, and these were not taught.

 “Since morning, we have been seated in class unattended to. I have decided to go home instead of wasting time,” said Betty Amono, a P.7 candidate at the school.

At St. Peter’s Primary School Nsambya, a fair number of children reported. Some teachers were equally sighted teaching.

At Nakivubo Blue Primary School, some pupils were seated in class but idle as most teachers were a no show. Some of the pupils said they haven’t had any lesson since Monday.

Mayuge defiant

Most teachers in Mayuge are shunning the strike. For instance, teachers in schools such as Buluba, Buwaya, and Balita primary schools conducted lessons On Tuesday.

“We need higher payments but as professional teachers, we should look at the future of these innocent children whom we are denying services,” said John Nkutire of Buwaya primary school.

“I have advised my fellow teachers in the school not to involve in the strike. Let them teach pupils as they demand the Government to increase on their payments.”

UNATU boss annoyed by defiance of teachers

George Kuloba, the Chairman of UNATU Eastern Region has expressed displeasure over the failure of some teachers to shun duty in favor of the strike.

Teachers from 22 districts in eastern Uganda, under their umbrella of Teachers at Work Development Programme over the weekend resolved to shun the strike.

“This defiant action is contrary to what we had agreed, this is betrayal to the teaching profession” said Kuloba. “Some urban teachers are wooed with PTA funds, but those in rural schools continue to suffer; we are fighting for a leveled ground for all teachers.”