Masindi schools resort to PTA teachers as gov’t teachers continue industrial action
Due to the strike, all government teachers have stayed away from work, leaving only PTA teachers to manage the school.
Masindi: Several government-aided primary schools in Masindi District have resorted to employing Parents Teachers Association (PTA) teachers, following an ongoing industrial action by government-employed teachers.
During a visit to a number of schools across the district, our reporter observed that Primary Seven candidates were attending lessons or sitting for examinations, while lower classes remained largely unattended.
At Kinogozi Primary School, the headteacher was absent, but a teacher on duty was seen supervising Primary Seven candidates during their exams.
Similarly, at Karujubu COU Primary School, the headteacher and another teacher were found distributing examination papers to Primary Seven pupils. However, other learners were not present at the school.
In contrast, St. Dominic Savio Boys Primary School was entirely deserted classrooms and the headteacher’s office were locked.
At Kihande Muslim Primary School, the headteacher declined to comment, citing directives from the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) that barred media engagement on school-related issues. Nonetheless, Primary Seven learners were observed attending lessons.
Meanwhile, Kamurasi Primary School stood out for continuing with normal teaching activities. According to reports, the school had an enrolment of about 1,100 learners present in class.
Dison Manyaki, Chairperson of the School Management Committee at Kamurasi Primary School, said the school employs 25 government teachers and 9 PTA teachers.
Due to the strike, all government teachers have stayed away from work, leaving only PTA teachers to manage the school.
“The PTA teachers are now combining two classes and teaching them together as we wait for the industrial action to end,” Manyaki explained. “They’re trying their best, but with the large enrolment, they’re overstretched and not as effective. However, we cannot afford to close the school.”
He appealed to UNATU and the government to urgently resolve their differences, stressing that this is a promotional term, and learners are missing crucial lessons.
John Bitamara, Chairperson of the PTA at Karujubu COU Primary School, warned that the ongoing industrial action could negatively impact learners.
“Teaching begins on day one. Private school teachers may be paid less, but they’re teaching. All our children sit the same final exams. Strikes in government schools only put our children at a disadvantage,” he said.
Irene Nyamigisa, the Headteacher of Karujubu COU Primary School, confirmed that their PTA teachers are currently teaching only Primary Seven candidates while the rest of the staff remains absent due to the strike.
Monica Kiiza, the District Education Officer (DEO) for Masindi, revealed that after UNATU announced the strike, a survey was conducted showing that 421 teachers (60%) were reporting to their duty stations.
However, only a few schools such as Kabango, Kinyara, and Isagara were actually engaging in teaching and learning.
She added that 278 teachers (40%) were fully participating in the industrial action. Kiiza commended schools that have employed PTA teachers to keep education going, but acknowledged that the strike had severely disrupted normal operations.
“Teachers have a right to strike for better pay,” Kiiza said. “But this industrial action has come at the wrong time it’s a promotional term, and learners need to concentrate on preparing for their final assessments.”
She appealed to striking teachers to return to class, noting that the Minister for Education and Sports has pledged to enhance teachers’ salaries.
Kiiza also criticized some parents for failing to send their children to school during the strike, despite PTA teachers being available in some schools.
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