By KT Reporter
Learners and parents in Kasese District are calling on the government to urgently resolve the ongoing teachers’ strike.
The strike, initiated by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) on Monday at the start of the third term, demands salary parity with science teachers, disrupting learning, particularly in rural schools.
Many government primary schools in Kasese remain with no activities while a few teachers have been seen teaching some P.7 candidates.
Kasese parents argue that the experience of Covid-19 where many children especially girls dropped out of schools due to early marriage or getting pregnant must be a reminder to government on the value of keeping children in school.
Leaners especially in candidate classes are worried that if they don’t complete the syllabus on time, they are likely to fail or be outcompeted by their peers in private schools.
Janet Komukama, a primary five pupils at Munkunyu Primary School said she is worried about the teachers’ industrial action, arguing that it is likely to escalate the rate of teenage pregnancies and school dropouts should it continue.
She fears that many learners could take advantage of this period to engage in bad acts and eventually fail to return to school.
Joyce Kighoma, a parent who has candidates in both P.7 and S. 4, noted that the teachers’ industrial action would lead to poor performance of learners.
She is concerned that many parents have been struggling to find fees for their children but with classes closed, that money is likely to be used to cater for other essentials eventually affecting parents when classes resume.
Sylvesta Masereka Caritas, is appealing to the government to prioritise the teacher’s demand and openly engagement so that an agreement can be reached and classes resume. Masereka says that while government school’s offer comfort to parents, such a strike is likely to force many parents to send their children in private institutions.
The head teacher for Kisinga Primary School, Nason Ndungo Mukasulha noted that he advised a few pupils who had reported to go back to their respective homes since all teachers had declined to attend to them.
Appearing before parliament on Wednesday, State Minister for Primary Education, Joyce Moriku Kaducu acknowledged ongoing negotiations and confirmed that salary enhancements for arts teachers are under consideration for the 2025/26 financial year budget.
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