Rwabuhinga urges government to address teachers’ welfare as strike disrupts learning
“Motivation among arts teachers is at its lowest. Without salary equity, there can be no quality education,” the union said in a recent statement.
Kabarole: The Chairperson of Kabarole District Local Government, Richard Rwabuhinga, has called on the central government to urgently address the ongoing concerns raised by teachers regarding salary disparities, warning that the nationwide strike is severely affecting learners, especially candidates preparing for final examinations.
The appeal comes as teachers under the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) continue their industrial action, which began at the start of third term.
The strike is in protest of unequal pay structures between science and arts teachers a disparity that UNATU says has demoralized thousands of educators across the country.
Speaking during the State of the District Address at a council sitting on Monday, Rwabuhinga stressed the urgency of the matter.
“Government should not take teachers’ concerns lightly. These welfare issues should be addressed so that our teachers can return to class. Learners, especially candidates, are the ones bearing the biggest brunt of this strike,” Rwabuhinga said.
He further emphasized that the timing of the strike is particularly troubling, as it comes just weeks before key national exams including the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE), and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
To cushion the impact of the strike, Rwabuhinga revealed that the district leadership will meet with head teachers to explore stopgap measures, including engaging Parent Teacher Association (PTA)-funded teachers to assist candidates with revision sessions.
Despite mounting pressure, UNATU has remained firm in its stance, stating that the strike will continue until the government takes concrete steps to harmonize salaries across the teaching profession.
“Motivation among arts teachers is at its lowest. Without salary equity, there can be no quality education,” the union said in a recent statement.
As the standoff persists, parents, school administrators, and local leaders are increasingly concerned about the long-term effects on learners’ academic performance and overall morale in the education sector.
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