Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-24 09:00:00
The Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union (UPSTU) announced that more than 400 science tutors from various Primary Teachers’ Colleges (PTCs) have threatened to go on strike if the Public Service ministry does not reinstate them on the approved science salary scale. The issue arose when 450 tutors were removed from the science payroll in September 2023, despite being included in the new salary scale for scientists approved by the government in 2022.
UPSTU’s Aron Mugaiga stated that if the matter is not resolved, the science tutors will stop working from April 3, 2024. He highlighted that the tutors were removed from the approved pay scale without formal communication and in contradiction to the presidential directive on salary enhancement.
After a series of strikes by science teachers over pay, President Museveni intervened and ordered a pay enhancement for all scientists, including science teachers and tutors. The President emphasized the importance of science teachers in the country’s socio-economic transformation. However, some officials from the Public Service ministry raised concerns about whether science tutors should be categorized as scientists. Mr. Mugaiga clarified that the Education and Sports ministry had approved the classification of science tutors as scientists and revealed that most affected tutors were from Mityana, Ibanda, Hoima City, and Bushenyi Municipal Council.
Several affected tutors shared their struggles, with Mr. Godfrey Tabu from Bulera Core PTC in Hoima City highlighting the significant disparity between his current salary and what he should be earning according to the new scale. Mr. Tabu expressed the challenges he faced in meeting his financial obligations, including supporting his family and paying off bank loans.
Similarly, Mr. Mabonga Geoffrey, a mathematics tutor at Busuubizi Core PTC in Mityana District, described the hardships he faced due to not receiving his full salary as a science tutor. He shared the difficulties of providing for his family and emphasized the importance of resolving the issue to allow tutors to return to work.
During a meeting in November 2023, the Ministry of Education was tasked with providing clarification on the status of the tutors, with the aim of resolving the issue. In a letter addressed to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service sought confirmation of the existence of scientists in PTCs and clarification on the subjects taught by the tutors.
Ms. Ketty Lamaro, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, confirmed the presence of scientists in PTCs and outlined the science subjects taught by the tutors. She explained that tutors specializing in sciences teach integrated science, which includes Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
In conclusion, the dispute over the classification and payment of science tutors in PTCs highlights the challenges faced by educators in Uganda and the importance of resolving the issue to ensure fair and just compensation for their vital role in the education system.
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
