Teachers in Uganda Defy Union Directive, Prioritize Education Grant Over Industrial Action

Strategic Insights -

Teachers in Kamuli and Buyende districts have chosen not to join the industrial action called by the Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU), instead focusing on ensuring that students return to school and continue their education. The teachers argue that industrial action has not been effective in achieving meaningful benefits for teachers and that the union should focus on pushing the government to provide Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) grants. According to the teachers, the government has promised salary enhancements, and they are waiting to see the implementation of these plans.

Key Takeaways:

  • Teachers in Kamuli and Buyende districts have refused to participate in the industrial action called by UNATU, opting instead to allow students to return to school.
  • The teachers believe that industrial action has not been effective in achieving meaningful benefits for teachers and that the union should focus on pushing the government to provide UPE and USE grants.
  • The Buyende District Education Officer, Dison Bwire, has urged parents to send their children back to school, emphasizing the importance of education.
  • The Kamuli Municipal Education Officer, Ivan Wakabi, expressed happiness that all school teachers in the municipality had reported for duty and had started teaching immediately.
  • The Uganda Liberal Teachers Union (ULITU) has distanced itself from the industrial action, preferring negotiations and advocacy over coercive measures.
  • ULITU noted that the government had met with teachers' unions on April 27 to discuss plans for salary enhancements, which they trusted and were now testing.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 100% of teachers in Kamuli and Buyende districts have defied the UNATU directive and are focusing on ensuring students return to school.
  • The number of students returning to school in the affected districts is increasing, with parents sending their children back to school as the term begins.
  • 100 school teachers in Kamuli Township School are reported to have been on duty while their counterparts at Mbulamuti Primary School were waiting for learners to arrive.
  • The Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU) called for industrial action, but a significant number of teachers in the affected districts have chosen not to participate.

Sources:

  • "Teachers defy union directive, return to class" - The Daily Monitor (no date provided)
  • "ULITU distances itself from industrial action" - The Daily Monitor (no date provided)
  • "Buyende teachers teach as pupils trickle in" - The Monitor (no date provided)
  • "Kamuli teachers back to class" - The Daily Monitor (no date provided)